“Learning full catalogue of Novak Djokovic match" - Fans react to Carlos Alcaraz hinting at Serb taking a strategic medical timeout at Australian Open

Tennis fans recently reacted to Carlos Alcaraz insinuating that Novak Djokovic strategically took a medical timeout during their quarterfinal match at the 2025 Australian Open. Their match-up at the Grand Slam tournament marked the eighth encounter between the two on the ATP Tour, with the Serb leading their head-to-head record of 5-3

Alcaraz was seeded third at the Melbourne Major and he triumphed over players like Alexander Shevchenko, Yoshihito Nishioka, Nuno Borges, and Jack Draper to advance to the quarterfinals, where he ultimately fell to Djokovic in a 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 4-6 defeat.

During their quarterfinal showdown, Djokovic took a medical timeout and briefly left the court. During a post-match interview, Alcaraz remarked that while the Serb seemed uncomfortable during the second set, he did not exhibit signs of injury in the subsequent sets, implying that Djokovic strategically used the medical timeout to reassess his game plan.

"I'm not saying he put on a show, but in the second set he looked in trouble and in the third and fourth I didn't see anything. I don't think he would have retired if he lost the second set. A tennis player who thinks about retiring doesn't play the third and fourth sets the way he did," Carlos Alcaraz said via Marca (translated from Spanish).

Following Alcaraz's comments on Djokovic, tennis fans took to social media to express their viewpoints on the same.

One fan noted that Djokovic's use of strategic medical timeouts has been a consistent tactic, which Alcaraz got a glimpse of during their 2025 Australian Open quarterfinal match.

“Hahahaha, Alcaraz is learning the full catalogue of a Djokovic match," a fan posted.

Another fan pointed out that people have previously claimed that Novak Djokovic had allegedly feigned surgery in 2024 which is why it was not surprising that Alcaraz seemingly had "bias" against him.

“He’s disappointed he lost but to say Djokovic would purposely lose sets etc at this stage of his career is crazy. Considering many people even claimed he faked surgery last year I’m not surprised there’s this bias against him," a fan wrote.

“Look by now even a monkey knows Djokovic does a show so Alcaraz may as well say it but of course he has to be diplomatic or the tards would be all over him," a fan posted.

“Something to learn from for Carlos, and I'm sure JCF will be on top of that. He has to focus on his side of the court and what's in his control no matter what's going on. Not to say he isn't validified in being shaken up by that, but it's something to grow from," a fan wrote.

Here are some other fan reactions :

“We all know djokovic is “injured” every time he’s losing an important game, but Carlos needs to learn how to keep his mind away from these “mind games”," a fan posted.

“Djokovic faking injuries and doing the “dark arts” such as too many bounces and tactical toilet breaks is nothing new. Can only blame himself," a fan wrote.

“Djokovic has been doing this tactics since 2006. He’s never been a fair player. He will do anything to win matches, anything. Alcaraz saw this happen in Cincinnati 2023. He should have saw it coming this year as well. It’s all on him," a fan posted.

---

After his win over Carlos Alcaraz in QF, Novak Djokovic will face Alexander Zverev in Australian Open 2025 SF

Novak Djokovic at the 2025 Australian Open [image Source: Getty Images]

Following his win over Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Australian Open, Novak Djokovic will go head-to-head with second seed Alexander Zverev in the semifinals

Djokovic is seeded seventh at the Melbourne Major and he defeated players like wild card Nishesh Basavareddy, qualifier Jaime Faria, 26th seed Tomas Machac, and 24th seed Jiri Lehecka and Carlos Alcaraz to secure his spot in the final four where he will meet Zverev.

On the other hand, Alexander Zverev triumphed over wild card Lucas Pouille, Pedro Martinez, Jacob Fearnley, 14th seed Ugo Humbert, and 12th seed Tommy Paul to advance to the semifinals.

The winner of the semifinal clash between Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev will move on to face one of the following four players - Jannik Sinner, Ben Shelton, Lorenzo Sonego, or Alex de Minaur - in the final match.