Novak Djokovic rolled back the years on Tuesday when he produced a sensational performance to beat Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open.
The 37-year-old, aiming to win his 11th title in Melbourne, looked to be struggling with an injury problem after losing the first set to his Spanish opponent.
But Djokovic showed monumental effort and skill to fight back and secure a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 victory against the third seed, who is 16 years his junior.
It was a vintage 3 hrs 37 mins show on Rod Laver Arena that puts him into the last four at Melbourne Park for a 12th time, with only Roger Federer (15) doing so more often.
The win also extended his all-time record for most Grand Slam semi-final appearances to 50, four clear of the Swiss great.
The Serbian remains on course to break Margaret Court's overall record of 24 Grand Slam wins at the venue where he has enjoyed more major victories than any other.
But Djokovic admitted in his on-court interview after the match that his fitness is a concern.
“Since I'm still in the tournament, I obviously don't want to reveal too much,” he said about taking a medical timeout during his win.
“The medication started to kick in and it helped, no doubt about it. I had to take another dose – I mean this sounds awful that I had to take another one – but I had to.
“If I had lost that second set, I don't know if I would have continued playing but I felt better and better.
“I managed to play a great couple of games to close out the second set and then I saw Carlos was hesitant from the back of the court and I took my chances.
“Then I started to feel better, started to move better and it didn't bother me or create any hindrance at the end of the match.
“When the medication starts to wear off, I will see what the reality is tomorrow morning. Right now, I will just try to be in the moment and enjoy this victory.”
Next up for Djokovic will be second seed Alexander Zverev who reached the last-four the a second consecutive year with a four-set victory over American Tommy Paul.
Zverev beat the 12th-seed 7-6, 7-6, 2-6, 6-1 as he looks to secure his first Grand Slam title.
The German will be playing in his ninth Slam semi-final but has yet to be crowned champion in a decade and trying.
“I'm going to prepare myself for a tough battle. I'm going to prepare myself for a very intense and high-level match,” said Zverev, who lost to Daniil Medvedev in five sets last year after holding a 2-0 lead.
“I know I have the level. I've beaten them before. Hopefully I can do that again in two days' time.
“You're not going to get to the semis of a Grand Slam by not deserving to be there and not playing great tennis.”
In the women's draw, two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka suffered a scare before overcoming Russian 27th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2, 2-6, 6-3.
Sabalenka had looked shaky early in her quest to become the first woman to complete a “three-peat” since Martina Hingis in 1999.
The Belarusian top seed had to manage gusty winds and a gutsy opponent to extend her Melbourne win streak to 19 matches.
“Honestly, I was just praying today,” she said. “I was just praying to put the ball back in these tough conditions.
“We both were just trying to put the ball back and it was very difficult to play against her.
“She played amazing tennis, she is very aggressive. I'm just super happy I managed to somehow magically win this match.
“It is good to have these tough battles to go through them and be tougher in the later stages of the tournament. I wish I had won this match in straight sets, but it is what it is.”
Sabalenka will face Paula Badosa for a place in the Melbourne final after the Spanish 11th seed stunned Coco Gauff in straight sets.
Badosa fell to the court in celebration after winning 7-5, 6-4, becoming the first Spanish woman to reach a Grand Slam semi-final since Garbine Muguruza, also in Melbourne, in 2020.
It has been a remarkable comeback to tennis for the 27-year-old, who was ranked outside the top 100 a year ago after a stress fracture in her back.
“I mean, a year ago, I was here with my back that I didn't know if I had to retire from this sport, and now I'm here playing against the best in the world,” said Badosa.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
Disability on screen
Empire — neuromuscular disease myasthenia gravis; bipolar disorder; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Rosewood and Transparent — heart issues
24: Legacy — PTSD;
Superstore and NCIS: New Orleans — wheelchair-bound
Taken and This Is Us — cancer
Trial & Error — cognitive disorder prosopagnosia (facial blindness and dyslexia)
Grey’s Anatomy — prosthetic leg
Scorpion — obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety
Switched at Birth — deafness
One Mississippi, Wentworth and Transparent — double mastectomy
Dragons — double amputee
Company%20profile
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Copa del Rey final
Sevilla v Barcelona, Saturday, 11.30pm (UAE), match on Bein Sports
Mrs%20Chatterjee%20Vs%20Norway
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ashima%20Chibber%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rani%20Mukerji%2C%20Anirban%20Bhattacharya%20and%20Jim%20Sarbh%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
