Carlos Alcaraz ‘sad for Jack’ as Draper retires injured, ready for 'that guy called Novak Djokovic' at Australian Open

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Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the quarter-finals at the Australian Open after his opponent Jack Draper retired injured after losing the opening two sets. Draper had been battling a hip injury heading into the tournament, before fighting his way through three five-set matches. But a fourth was one step too far, leaving the Spaniard to advance in Melbourne in straightforward fashion.

'This one is his tournament' - Alcaraz gives Eurosport his views on facing Djokovic

Video credit: TNT Sports

Carlos Alcaraz needed only one hour and 35 minutes to advance to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open for the second-straight year after Jack Draper was forced to retire at the end of the second set when the Spaniard was leading 7-5 6-1.

Alcaraz was two sets up when Draper called it a day, the Brit having already had the trainer on and clearly struggling physically.

A hip injury had disrupted his off-season and also prevented Draper from heading to Spain for a training week with his rival, meaning he came into Melbourne without any match practice.

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But Draper certainly got plenty of time on the court in his opening three rounds, winning them all in five sets. Whether the time spent out on court caught up with him or the hip injury resurfaced, a clearly stricken Draper could not continue and was forced to call it quits.

"It’s not the way I want to win the match to get through to the next round. I’m just happy obviously to play another quarter-final here but I’m a little bit sad for Jack, he doesn’t deserve to get injured," said a gracious Alcaraz afterwards.

"He couldn’t prepare the start of the season well. We should have done a good week of pre-season but couldn’t because of an injury as well so I'm just a little bit sad for him, and for sure he's going to come back stronger. I just want to wish him a speedy recovery."

'It's crazy!' - Alcaraz 'rattled' as he argues with umpire over towel warning

Video credit: TNT Sports

Alcaraz might have made seemingly serene progress against Draper, but that wasn’t always the case with the Spaniard 'rattled' in the opening set after being warned for taking too long with his towel.

But he soon put that behind him, racing through the second set and cutting a relaxed figure in his post-match interview.

"I’m just happy with the level I’m playing. On the court, off the court, I’m really comfortable here in Australia, which I think is pretty good," he added.

"Physically, I’m feeling great so I can’t wait for the second week of the Grand Slam, I think it’s really important to feel well physically. By now the matches are even tougher, so I’m just ready. I think I’m doing the right things off the court as well.

'What a shame' - Watch moment GB's Draper retires against Alcaraz

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"I’m just excited about playing my second quarter-final here in Australia and hopefully get further this year."

For Alcaraz, it is a second-straight quarter-final in Melbourne at the only Slam missing from his collection. Last year, he lost to Alexander Zverev in four sets, and his draw doesn’t get much easier this time around with a possible clash against Novak Djokovic in store.

‘THAT GUY CALLED NOVAK DJOKOVIC’

Alcaraz admitted after the match that he would be doing everything he can to make sure he could watch Djokovic’s fourth-round clash with Jiri Lehecka that headlined the night session on Rod Laver Arena.

Alcaraz will play the winner of that one, but the Spaniard sounded as excited by the prospect of watching some strong tennis and scouting out his next opponent.

"Well, I’m going to watch that for sure, where I don’t know. I need to recover now with my team. I’m going to try and make the most of my time to watch the match and when I’m with the physio I’ll probably be watching.

"I mean, that guy called Novak Djokovic, I played a few times against him! It’s going to be a really interesting match to watch."

Before Alcaraz left the court, he was asked about his change of footwear, sporting some throwback kicks inspired by one of the greats of the game, Andre Agassi. But it turns out it isn’t just Agassi’s fashion choices that have caught Alcaraz’s attention.

"I said many times, I think the return from Agassi would be great if I could add that to my game," he joked, which most would agree would make him an even more formidable opponent than he already is.

Alcaraz through to quarters as GB's Draper retires injured - Australian Open highlights

Video credit: TNT Sports

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 'HIS' TOURNAMENT

After his win, Alcaraz spoke exclusively to Eurosport about what he will do in preparation should he be playing Djokovic in the quarter-finals.

The Spaniard was under no illusions about how tough a task it would be, given Djokovic’s incredible record in Melbourne, where he is a 10-time champion.

"Well, I think this one is ‘his’ tournament. I don’t want to think about it yet, I think it’s going to be the first time I’m going to face him on a Grand Slam hard court," Alcaraz said.

"I’ve played him many times already, I know the things I have to do so all I’m thinking right now is physically I’m happy with the level I’m playing. I have confidence in myself, which is really important in a Grand Slam.

"If it is Novak, I have tomorrow to think about it. I’ll watch the highlights of my matches against him and take the good things."

Alcaraz 'sad for Jack' and excited to potentially face 'that guy called Djokovic'

Video credit: TNT Sports

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