Djokovic, the 10-time champion in Melbourne, was serving at 3-1 up in the second set of the much-anticipated last-eight encounter, but the world No. 7 found himself a set down as he struggled with an injury to his left leg, which he got tended to during at the end of the first set.
At 15-30 in a crucial point of the second set, Djokovic served, with the ball brushing the net cord on its way into the service box.
Alcaraz played the return, with it seeming like play was about to continue before the chair umpire finally interjected to call a let.
That did not impress Alcaraz, the four-time Grand Slam champion, who was bewildered at how late the call had come, branding it “crazy”.
“It’s a let,” Alcaraz said as he approached the umpire’s chair.
“I’m not complaining about whether it was a let or not.
“You were five seconds late, it’s crazy! Play was delayed, you stopped because we stopped.”
In the Eurosport commentary box, commentators Naomi Cavaday and Tim Henman tried to make sense of what had just occurred, with everyone looking baffled, including Djokovic.
Watch as Alcaraz roars to opening set with Djokovic injury concerns
Video credit: Eurosport
“Everyone was in agreement that it was a let, but Alcaraz is not happy because he thinks the umpire’s been influenced by Djokovic stopping during that point,” Cavaday said.
“I don’t think Djokovic is too thrilled that Alcaraz is asking that question,” Henman added.
Alcaraz seemed fired up as he tried to respond to being a break down in the second set, and that pent-up frustration benefited him, as he won the game to haul himself back to within a game, and bring the set back on-serve.
Djokovic went on to win the second set to level up the pulsating encounter on Rod Laver Arena.
Watch as Djokovic applauds Alcaraz after ‘ridiculous’ shot wows fans
Video credit: Eurosport
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