Serena Williams' ex-coach Rennae Stubbs suggests Djokovic vs Alcaraz Australian Open clash as remedy for US fans worried about Trump takeover

Serena Williams' ex-coach Rennae Stubbs recommended the Novak Djokovic-Carlos Alcaraz 2025 Australian Open quarterfinal clash to fans in the US. Stubbs suggested that watching the match may ease the tensions of those who are dreading the political direction the country will take after Donald Trump officially began his second term as President on Monday, January 20.

The Serb and the Spaniard's blockbuster showdown in Melbourne ultimately went the former's way despite Alcaraz initially establishing a one-set lead amid injury concerns for the record 10-time Australian Open champion. Both former World No. 1s produced an exhilarating display of tennis, full of grueling rallies and surreal shotmaking inside a jam-packed Rod Laver Arena.

During the match, Rennae Stubbs, a former doubles No. 1 who coached the legendary Serena Williams for the 2022 US Open, took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote:

"Everyone who is not coping with the latest situation in the USA, TUNE INTO ESPN NOW!! This match is INSANITY!!"

Novak Djokovic is now set to lock horns against No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev in the semifinals later this week.

Stubbs wasn't the only coach to have worked with Serena Williams who reacted to the match. Patrick Mouratoglou, who guided Williams to 10 of the American's 23 singles Grand Slam titles, was also following the quarterfinal contest closely. The Frenchman was clearly impressed by the Serb's performance.

Serena Williams' former coach Patrick Mouratoglou marveled at Novak Djokovic's display against Carlos Alcaraz in Australian Open QF

Carlos Alcaraz (left) and Novak Djokovic (right) after their 2025 Australian Open quarterfinal (Source: Getty)

Novak Djokovic seemed to be struggling with his movement in the first set, and at 4-5 down, with Carlos Alcaraz about to serve for the set, the Serb took a medical timeout. The Spaniard would eventually win the set 6-4.

However, the 24-time Major champion came roaring back and at times, it felt as if he rolled back the years. Serena Williams' ex-coach Patrick Mouratoglou, as awestruck as Rennae Stubbs was, shared two brief posts on X while the match was still ongoing. In his first post, Mouratoglou wrote:

"Novak is playing table tennis right now."

Not too long later, the Frenchman hailed the Serb's return as the greatest in tennis history.

"Novak’s return is the best of all times. Period," Mouratoglou wrote.

The semifinal outing against Zverev will mark Djokovic's 12th appearance in the last four at the Australian Open. The Serb exited last year's edition of the hardcourt Major in the semis to eventual champion Jannik Sinner.