'I let him get into the match again' - Carlos Alcaraz opens up on his biggest mistake in quarter-final against Novak Djokovic in AO 2025

The French Open and Wimbledon champion was a strong favourite to beat Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open quarter-finals on Tuesday, but he was outplayed by a majestic opponent as he lost 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.

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Pratyusha Bhawar
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Tennis Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic

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Tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz's campaign for the 2025 Australian Open came to a halt on January 21, after the 21-year-old suffered an epic 4-set battle against majestic opponent Novak Djokovic. The Spaniard was beaten despite winning the opening set of the game in commanding fashion. Reviewing the game at the press conference, Alcaraz said that his biggest mistake was not pushing the 24-time Grand Slam winner to the limit in the second set of the game when Djokovic was battling with an injury.

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After being battered in the first set of the thrilling quarterfinal showdown, the 37-year-old tennis legend took a medical timeout. After attending to his groin injury on the left leg, Djokovic marked his stellar return and managed to win the second set of the game to level up the game. However, at that moment, the Spaniard was guilty of several errors in the game that helped the 10-time Melbourne winner stay afloat in the game despite not looking and giving his best.

Also Watch: Carlos Alcaraz's epic reaction to Aryna Sabalenka's blistering slice shot in her quarter-final match

I'm going to say that's was the biggest mistake that I made today: Carlos Alcaraz

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Carlos Alcaraz said that he felt like he was controlling the game but made the mistake of letting the Serbian ace sneak into the game. After winning the second set, former world number one Djokovic nearly became unstoppable, finishing tough rallies against the Spaniard.

“Well, honestly I felt like I was controlling the match, and I let him get into the match again. I'm going to say that was the biggest mistake that I made today. In the second set, I had to play a little bit better just to push him even more to the limit. Yeah, he saw that he had issues just moving a little bit in the second set. I had to push him a little bit more just to the limit, and I didn't. I didn't do it. After that, I think he started to feel better and playing at such a great level. That was my biggest mistake," Carlos Alcaraz said in the press conference.

Also Read: Madison Keys opens up after beating Elina Svitolina to book berth in semi-finals

Tennis Novak Djokovic ATP Carlos Alcaraz Australian Open