Alcaraz-Djokovic: first round in Australian ‘Super Monday’

Last Thursday’s draw made it abundantly clear what will be the first big highlight of the 2025 Australian Open. Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic were forced into a hypothetical quarterfinal duel that everyone in Melbourne is looking forward to.

However, the two have to overcome four games before the big event, and the first of them comes this Monday. To everyone’s surprise, the organization decided to advance Jannik Sinner’s fight, which was supposed to debut on Tuesday, so the three big names of the tournament will play on the same dayan almost unprecedented fact that forces one of them to play outside the Rod Laver Arena.

It was Alcaraz, who saw how the tournament rewarded the results of the Italian, current champion, and the Serbian, ten-time winner here, who made the choice.

So, We will face a ‘super Monday’ that will end at 9 am with the matches of Alcaraz and Djokovic. Both will open the afternoon session, Nole on Rod Laver, and Carlos on Margaret Court, so attention will be well distributed and comparisons between their respective starts are inevitable.

About Spanish, Measuring Alexander Shevchenkoa 24-year-old Kazakh player whom he badly defeated in the last edition of the Mutua Madrid Open (6-2, 6-1).

Number 72 in the ATP, Shevchenko does not have great achievements in his record, although this season he started at a good level, helping Kazakhstan to reach the semifinals of the United Cup. with prestigious victories such as the one achieved against Stefanos Tsitsipas (6-4, 7-6) in the tie against Greece.

Things are worse against Spain, because Pablo Carreño clearly won as he defeated him 6-2, 6-1.

Alcaraz came into the clash lacking the rhythm of the competition, but in great physical condition, and Looking forward to testing the changes introduced during the preseason at an event of this level.

“I play with quite a bit less weight on the head of the racquet and with 5 grams I feel lighter. The most important thing is that I can move the racket the same way, putting less strain on my arm, something important for me because I have some shoulder and elbow problems,” he said in his appearance before the media, where he also revealed that he didn’t have “a lot of time to practice the new serve, but every day I feel better.”

There are also high expectations for Djokovic. After his return to the courts two weeks ago in Brisbane, where he surprisingly lost in the quarterfinals against Reilly Opelka, The Serbian returns to his favorite tournament with full ambition in search of extending his legend what was his 25th Grand Slam title (Australia’s 11th).

To do this, he had to start by defeating Nishesh Basavareddy, one of the young promises of American tennis.. At 19 years old, he came to the event with his best ranking (133), the result of the excellent final stage of the season achieved in 2024, where he added two titles, two finals and a semifinal on the Challenger circuit that allowed him. to earn his ticket to the NextGen Finals, the masters tournament for under-21s that Brazilian Joao Fonseca won.

“I don’t know much about him. Actually I saw him play for the first time yesterday.. I think he was playing in the semi-finals of the New Zealand tournament. He is very fast and very talented. “He had a complete game overall,” Djokovic said during his media appearance on Friday.

For the Olympic champion This is a great opportunity to make a mark in your favorite tournament.where he’s a true idol who can’t take two steps without a feverish crowd jumping on him.

This is her first big date in this new phase with Andy Murray, for whom she has nothing but praise. “He is very meticulous, he is a professional with great dedication. I am very happy” he assured.

In case anything was missing from the morning session in Spain, another attraction of the tournament will close the day, Nick Kyrgios. The Australian, seeking to recover for an ordeal caused by injuries at home, will play shortly after 11am at the John Cain Arena against Britain’s Jacob Fearnleyone of the outstanding players on the Challenger circuit.