At the end of another breathless exchange in the early stages of the most highly anticipated match of the Australian Open, alone in the centre of the colossal Rod Laver Arena, Novak Djokovic squatted to stretch his legs while exchanging anxious looks with his team.
For 16 bruising strokes, he had been pummelled by Carlos Alcaraz in full flight; dragged from sideline to sideline then pulled forward to the net before watching helplessly as a forehand passing‑shot winner flew by him. Djokovic pulled up from the gruelling point limping before calling for the physio.
