GOAT Novak makes a monkey out of Carlos Alcaraz in AO thriller

El Classico. Titanic. You can use so many adjectives to describe this one gut-spilling thriller at the Rod Laver arena. On a steamy night in Melbourne, Novak Djokovic turned on the heat and steam to melt Young Turk Carlos Alcaraz in four sets and enter the semi-finals of the Australian Open. If a poet had been watching this contest, he may have used many an epithet to describe NoWhack. If a student of English linguistics and grammar had to write on this one match, he or she would have used a transferred epithet. Last, if a fan had to describe this ride, it was roller-coaster.

Ah, where to begin and where to end. Four sets, so much in it, forehand and backhand just a few components in it. That Novak has used and picked the brains of coach Sir Andy Murray stood out. There has never been doubting the warrior approach of Novak. When he gets injured, he becomes even more potent. It is like a solider in the battle front with a last bullet to pump. Well, Novak was injured, perhaps, a groin strain. People have joked, ridiculed him in the past, be it the 2023 or 2024 editions of the Australian Open.

No, the 2025 version of Nole was refurbished. And with Sir Andy watching him so intently, when it came to guts and strategy, the Serbian produced a master class. This was not like driving the stiletto in deep. What Novak produced was more nip and tuck, yet he bled Alcaraz to death and stormed into the semi-finals. For loads of emotions alone, this match rates so high. Rewind to the Wimbledon final last year, Alcaraz had got the better of Novak. Tonight, Novak was in beast mode, even though injured. He has that rare ability to compete like a fighter who has come from outer space. He transported the fans inside the arena as well as those watching the match on phones and gizmos to flights of fantasy. This is sport, emotions, drama. He excelled, GOAT after all, 37-year-old Novak.

As for Carlitos, he had been hyped. If he had won this Australian Open, he promised a kangaroo tattoo. No, Novak was not going to let him jump so high, he had vengeance to take and show that he can still win. This is the father and mother of all upsets at AO 2025. It does not even matter who wins the title, for Novak has settled a big debate, age is no factor and competence is skill and will. They said, Carlos gets to the ball faster. Maybe, yes, but if there was something called consistency and composure to showcase, Novak was the maestro. He was craving for this win and came out so solid. This version is what has made people fall in love with him.

The Serbian King has been taunted but not tainted. He recently spoke of food poisoning in Melbourne three years ago, when he was under detention and then deported. And very recently, when a Channel 9 moron rubbed Novak the wrong way, he took a stand, he would not do the mandatory on court interview. All this defines Novak Djokovic as a no-nonsense dude. He means business and on Tuesday night, in Melbourne, Novak fixed a date with Alexander Zverev for the semi-finals. That is on Friday, so Novak has enough time to recover. And yes, if injuries bring the best out of someone, one man does it to perfection -- Novak. If you have not watched the match, catch the highlights. Such a tapestry of tennis is not on view daily. This was a match where two players from different generations produced sparks. In the end, Carlos got singed.