Andy Murray shared a thoughtful moment with Carlos Alcaraz in the aftermath of his Australian Open quarter-final defeat to Novak Djokovic in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The three-time Grand Slam champion has been in the Serbian serial winner’s corner in Melbourne after being announced as a member of Djokovic’s coaching staff ahead of the 2025 season.
The surprise pick saw Djokovic pay tribute to his long-time rival’s ability to bring a new perspective on his game as the 37-year-old goes hunting for the major title that will help him shatter the record he currently shares with Margaret Court.
Tuesday night Down Under saw Djokovic take a momentous step towards achieving his 25th Grand Slam victory as he despatched the talented Spaniard in four thrilling sets to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.
But despite helping the Serbian garner the win over his much younger rival, Murray was keen to show his respect for Alcaraz as they crossed paths in the player area behind the scenes at Rod Laver Arena.
Cameras captured the Briton shaking hands with the 21-year-old as he completed his warm-down after the strenuous match.
Andy Murray shook hands with Carlos Alcaraz while the disappointed Spaniard completed his warm-down
The 21-year-old suffered a four-set defeat by Murray’s player Novak Djokovic on Wednesday
The three-time Grand Slam champion has been a key presence in Djokovic’s coaching team
Murray also appeared to offer Alcaraz some words of consolation, with the US Open champion seemingly delighted by the interaction.
Hours earlier, however, Murray had been all business as he sat court-side in Djokovic’s coaching corner to watch his player overcome a suspected groin injury in the opening set to best Alcaraz in the four-set contest.
The Spaniard appeared to be set to continue his strong Grand Slam record against the 24-time champion with a strong opening showing at Melbourne Park, but lost ground to an increasingly dominant Djokovic as the match slipped from his grasp.
Djokovic was similarly gracious in victory, heaping praise on his opponent in his on-court interview after the match.
‘My utmost respect and admiration for Carlos and everything he stands for and he’s achieved so far in his young career,’ Djokovic told Jim Courier.
‘What a terrific guy he is and even a better competitor, the youngest ever No.1 in the world, in the history of our sport so four slams and I’m sure we are going to see a lot of him maybe not as much as I would like but he’s going to be there for sure, longer than me and I just wish this match today was the finals.’
Any information gleaned from his coach’s experience playing Alcaraz before his retirement last summer might have proved the difference, sharing the spoils from their two career meetings.
Murray has also consistently got the better of Alcaraz’s coach, former French Open Juan Carlos Ferrero, during their three meetings on hard court and grass.
Djokovic roared in Murray’s direction after sealing match point in the early-hours contest
But throughout the match, Murray had cut a calm presence as Djokovic worked himself into a fury on court
Murray has a one-one record against Alcaraz from his playing career, last meeting him at the Vienna Open in 2021
Djokovic overcame a suspected groin injury to secure his spot in the semi-finals against world No2 Alexander Zverev
The retired former Australian Open finalist cut a calm presence on the sidelines even as Djokovic vented his fury at various points during the clash, but Murray found himself the focus of his player’s roar of victory as he put away match point.
In the immediate aftermath, Djokovic also called the contest ‘one of the most epic matches’ he had ever player on this, or any court.
The players had last met in another blockbuster clash at the Olympics in Paris this summer, with Alcaraz forced to content himself with silver after Djokovic won his longed-for gold medal in a three-set classic.
Djokovic and Murray will now prepare for the semi-finals, with the player set to meet Alexander Zverev after his overturning of Tommy Paul.
The world No2 last encountered Djokovic in 2023, when the Serbian beat him in straight sets at the Cincinnati Masters.
Djokovic enjoys the better head-to-head record against the German No1, winning eight of their 12 encounters since 2017 – and Zverev has never beaten him at a major tournament.
‘We have an agreement that as long as I play, he’s going to let me win Grand Slam matches,’ Djokovic joked during his on-court interview.
