Jim Courier has spotted flaw in Carlos Alcaraz’s game during his defeat to Novak Djokovic as he advises change he needs to make

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Carlos Alcaraz lost in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open for the second year running.

The Spaniard was looking to become the youngest player to complete the Career Grand Slam and would’ve done so with a title at this year’s Australian Open.

Alcaraz had beaten Jack Draper in the last 16 to qualify for the quarter-finals where he had come up short in 2024.

The 21-year-old took the first set against Novak Djokovic in this year’s quarter-final before the Serb battled back.

Despite dealing with an injury he sustained during the first set, the 24-time Major champion raised his level to secure his spot in the last four with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 win over Alcaraz.

Following his second consecutive quarter-final exit in Melbourne, one ATP Tour legend has given the Spaniard some advice on what he now needs to change.

Jim Courier says Carlos Alcaraz needs to learn to ‘adjust’ better after defeat to injured Novak Djokovic

Speaking to Eurosport following Alcaraz’s four-set defeat to the Serbian superstar, former world number one Jim Courier explained what he wants to see from the 21-year-old in the future.

“I would like to see slightly more structure with him and then the ability to dazzle us with the unexpected,” said Courier.

“I think a little bit more structure against everybody will make him a more consistent player.

“Dealing with an injured player, dealing with a player who is going completely out of their zone tactically.

“How do you adjust to that? These are lessons he will probably pick up from this match and hopefully make him a better player long-term.”

Courier went on to explain an area in which Alcaraz still struggles to compete with Djokovic and Jannik Sinner.

“What I would say is that [Carlos] Alcaraz’s best day is probably the best day of anybody in men’s tennis right now,” he said.

“But his worst day is definitely a level below people like Novak [Djokovic] and certainly [Jannik] Sinner, that’s what he needs to lift it up.

“He can’t just play normal tennis and beat Novak.”

Courier then outlined how this defeat, amongst others, could help Alcaraz develop as a player.

“He is not as experienced as Novak is and Novak wasn’t at this age either,” he said.

“These are the hard lessons that kind of give you direction over how to navigate these situations, he has had some tough ones with Novak.

“Roland Garros a couple of years ago in the semi-finals, that certainly was a learning curve and we have seen him learn how to manage his body through physical duress.”

Alcaraz lost to Djokovic in the semi-finals of the French Open back in 2023, 3-6, 7-5, 1-6, 1-6, having suffered an injury during the third set.

Carlos Alcaraz’s Melbourne misery continues with latest Australian Open defeat

At 21 years old, there isn’t much that Alcaraz hasn’t achieved in tennis, considering he’s won four Major titles and reached world number one.

Things just haven’t quite gone to plan down under, however, with the Spaniard continuing to struggle at the year’s first Grand Slam tournament.

Alcaraz’s performances at Melbourne Park leave a lot to be desired, especially compared to his stellar performances in Paris, London, and New York.

In his defence, Alcaraz has faced some tough opposition in Australia, losing to some of the top players in men’s tennis over the past few years.

• 2021 (2R) – Lost to Mikael Ymer
• 2022 (3R) – Lost to Matteo Berrettini [7]
• 2024 (QF) – Lost to Alexander Zverev [6]
• 2025 (QF) – Lost to Novak Djokovic [7]

Alcaraz lost to Zverev in last year’s quarter-final, having come up short in five sets against number seven seed Matteo Berrettini two years earlier.

It remains to be seen how Alcaraz will get on in Melbourne during the rest of his career, but he’ll no doubt hope to pick up a maiden Australian Open title in 2026.

Djokovic will return to the court to take on Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals of the Australian Open on Friday, January 24.