Australian Open 2025 results: Novak Djokovic beats Jiri Lehecka to set up quarter-final with Carlos Alcaraz
Novak Djokovic beats Jiri Lehka in convincing fashion in Australian Open quarterfinals against Carlos Alcaraz.
Djokovic defeated the Czech 24th seed 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4) to continue his quest for a record 25th Grand Slam title.
He will face Alcaraz in the quarter-finals after England’s top-ranked Spaniard advanced Jack Draper retires due to hip injury early Sunday.
Alcaraz has beaten Djokovic in the past two Wimbledon finals, but the Serbian defeated the 21-year-old to win gold at last summer’s Paris Olympics – Djokovic Odd calls it “the greatest sporting achievement.”
Djokovic was booed by the crowd when Lehka threatened to take the fourth set, and the 11-time Australian Open champion left Rod Laver Arena soon after the win.
“Thank you so much for being here tonight. I appreciate your support and we’ll see you in the next round,” the 37-year-old said.
In a subsequent press conference, Djokovic clarified his reasons for not doing his usual on-court interview with four-time Grand Slam champion Jim Courier.
He referred to the behavior of Channel 9 newsreader Tony Jones, who shouted to fans of Djokovic on Friday live on camera: “Novak, he’s overrated, Novak is obsolete.” Now, Novak kicks him out.”
“A few days ago, a well-known sports journalist working for Australia’s official broadcaster Channel 9 mocked Serbian fans and made insulting and offensive remarks towards me,” Djokovic said.
“Therefore, since they are the official broadcaster, I have chosen not to be interviewed by Channel 9. I have nothing against Jim Courier or the Australian public.
“It was a very embarrassing situation for me.”
On Monday, Jones said he considered the comments to be “jokes” and “humor,” but apologized live on air – saying he had offered an apology to Djokovic’s team 48 hours earlier.
“If Novak felt any disrespect, I would insist on an apology to him, which he clearly did.”
Channel Nine also publicly apologized, saying it had “no intention of harming Novak or his fans.”
