Djokovic v Lehecka LIVE: Australian Open 2025 results and reaction as beaten-up Draper retires vs Alcaraz
British No 1 Draper was left hobbled after a brutal run to the last 16 and called time after two sets against the classy Alcaraz, who now meets Djokovic in the quarter-finals
Carlos Alcaraz set up a mouthwatering Australian Open quarter-final against Novak Djokovic on Sunday when his opponent Jack Draper retired injured when trailing 7-5 6-1.
Spaniard Alcaraz was well on top in the afternoon match at Rod Laver Arena against the Briton, who took a lengthy time-out between the sets.
The four-times Grand Slam champion now faces a rematch from last year’s Wimbledon and Paris Olympics finals after the Serbian brushed aside Jiri Lehecka.
"This is not the way that I want to get through to the next round. I'm just happy to play another quarter-final here in Australia," Alcaraz said on court. "But really sorry for Jack. He doesn't deserve to get injured. He couldn't prepare the start of the season well."
Elsewhere, second seed Alexander Zverev had too much for Ugo Humbert and, earlier, Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka produced dominant displays and remain on a collision course to meet in the semi-finals.
Follow all of the latest news and reaction from the Australian Open in our live blog below:
Novak Djokovic explains why he boycotted Australian Open post-match interview
Novak Djokovic insists he boycotted a post-match interview at the Australian Open after claiming a journalist for an official broadcaster made “offensive” remarks towards him.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion also claimed Channel 9 broadcaster Tony Jones made a “mockery” of Serbian fans at Melbourne Park.
A video on social media shows Jones presenting for Channel 9 in front of Djokovic fans before remarking: "Novak, he's overrated, Novak's a has-been, Novak kick him out.”
And after dispatching Jiri Lehecka 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4) in the fourth round, Djokovic was greeted by four-time Grand Slam champion Jim Courier to obtain his thoughts on the match and a quarter-final against Carlos Alcaraz, who he met in the final of the Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics last year.
But Djokovic opted against a conversation and instead made a simple statement before being booed by some fans: “Thank you for being here tonight, I appreciate your presence and support and I'll see you in the next round.”
Novak Djokovic explains why he boycotted Australian Open post-match interview
Jack Draper provides injury update after retiring against Carlos Alcaraz: 'It's a ticking time bomb’
Jack Draper described his hip problem as a “ticking time bomb” after limping out of his Australian Open fourth-round clash with Carlos Alcaraz.
The British number one came into the tournament with little preparation after struggling with a flare-up of tendinitis, which he admitted he was still having to manage, during pre-season.
He then put his body through three five-set matches, spending more than 12 and a half hours on court, and it proved too much.
After taking a medical timeout at the end of a competitive first set, Draper became increasingly compromised in the second and, when Alcaraz opened up a 7-5 6-1 lead, the 15th seed opted to shake hands.
“I have been unbelievably surprised with how much I have been able to play and put my body through, more than I have ever done before,” said Draper, who was the final British player standing in singles.
“I think it’s just one of those things, just massive overload. This area of my body, if I don’t get that right and I don’t make good decisions, I don’t want to miss three or four months because of that.
Jack Draper provides injury update after retiring against Carlos Alcaraz
Novak Djokovic reacts to victory over Jiri Lehecka
“I don’t notice that [Andy Murray’s emotional facial expressions],” said Djokovic.
“He has a poker face I have seen for 20 years on the court. He’s somebody that understands very well what kind of pressure and moments we face and deliver out on the court.
“When challenged by an opponent or from the outside, great to have his energy, he encourages me all the time, I love it.”
Novak Djokovic reacts to victory over Jiri Lehecka
“Who doesn’t [hate making mistakes? We all try to handle it in our own specific way. Sometimes I do it better, sometimes I work against myself.
“Only if you’ve been there you know what you have to deal with.
“Sometimes you have to weather the storm when you’re challenged, when I faced adversity the last couple of games, I managed, that’s a good indication.”
Novak Djokovic reacts to victory over Jiri Lehecka
Djokovic: “I felt great, a couple of hiccups here and there, every time I had an opportunity, he’d serve big, powerful and precise.
“A different opponent, quite a lot of similarities, I handled it well, played some great points at the end.”
Australian Open: Novak Djokovic 6-3. 6-4, 7-6 (4) Jiri Lehecka - GAME, SET, MATCH DJOKOVIC!
3rd set tiebreak: Djokovic *7-4 Lehecka
Not much from Murray in terms of emotion in the Djokovic corner.
A finger to his ear, Djokovic LOVES that. Majestic movement, pinpoint placement and a sharp strategy to come to the net, then the touch to put it away... Two match points.
There it is! Lehecka nets... GAME, SET, MATCH DJOKOVIC!
Australian Open: Novak Djokovic 6-3. 6-4, 6-6 Jiri Lehecka
3rd set tiebreak: Djokovic 5-3* Lehecka
Lehecka battles, then the hop and a skip from Djokovic with the backhand, but suddenly NET! Lehecka creeping back into the tiebreak.
Australian Open: Novak Djokovic 6-3. 6-4, 6-6 Jiri Lehecka
3rd set tiebreak: Djokovic *5-2 Lehecka
Djokovic serving supremely, “Nole, Nole, Nole!” shout the crowd, 192km/h... That’ll work. A two-point cushion now.
A serve that kicks up and Lehecka blasts it long, 5-2 and he’s on the brink...
Australian Open: Novak Djokovic 6-3. 6-4, 6-6* Jiri Lehecka
We’re into a tiebreak, here we go!
Australian Open: Novak Djokovic *6-3. 6-4, 5-6 Jiri Lehecka
Now then, a little challenge for Novak, can he overcome this grit and determination from Lehecka?
It’s 5-6 in the third, he’ll want this over within the three hours, if he stumbles, a longer night ahead awaits...
Lehecka still going for his shots and that one is wayward, 30-0, a perfect start for the Serbia.
Unforced errors now up to 41 for the Czech, he knows where he needs to tidy up after the Australian Open, that’s for sure.