“One of the best matches I’ve ever won” – Alcaraz reacts to epic victory over Zverev
Video credit: SNTV
The final match means history will be made no matter what happens, with Alcaraz aiming to become the youngest player ever to complete a career Grand Slam by winning all four majors at the age of 22, and Djokovic aiming to overtake Margaret Court as the outright major record holder with 25 titles in the sport.
If the final is anything like the two semi-finals, the Melbourne crowd will be in for a treat. Nadal, who won the Australian Open in 2009 and 2022, wants his compatriot to win, but he also wants a great match.
Highlights: Alcaraz overcomes cramp to defeat Zverev in thrilling five sets
Video credit: TNT Sports
“If Novak wins, I’ll be happy for him, because what he’s doing is good in a way. It wouldn’t be a tragedy for me, but if I have to support someone, I think I have to support Carlos.”
“It was an exciting game yesterday. I think it was a little bit of everything.”
Alcaraz remained on court for another hour and 18 minutes, suffering from cramps from the third set onwards, but ultimately realized he needed an extra gear to defeat Zverev.
That extra time on court will surely count for the six-time Melbourne major champion, but he is also in uncharted territory as he has never made it past the quarter-finals at the Australian Open until this tournament.
But Djokovic was also thrown off his pace and had to fight tooth and nail to beat Sinner for the first time since 2023, ending his losing streak against the Italian at five.
Highlights: Djokovic defeats Sinner in thrilling match to advance to Alcaraz final
Video credit: TNT Sports
Nadal is well aware of how hard both players had to work to reach the final, and although Alcaraz played much longer than Djokovic, he believes the 22-time major winner will recover faster due to his age.
“There was some drama with what happened to Carlos in the third set, but as is often the case in situations like this, if you can hold it in for a while, most of the time the cramps go away, but sometimes it’s just a nervous cramp,” Nadal said.
“Ultimately, this game had everything we needed to engage people and create emotion in our sport and the people who watch it.
“I’m sure [Alcaraz] It was a long battle, but the other semi-final was also not short and was against players of a different age, so I think Carlos has an even better chance of recovery than Novak.