Key takeaways:

• Carlos Alcaraz reached the Australian Open quarter-finals after Jack Draper retired while trailing 7-5, 6-1.
• Draper struggled with hip tendinitis, which had worsened during their match.
• Alcaraz expressed regret about winning through retirement, sending well wishes to Draper.
• This marks the second retirement for Draper against Alcaraz following a previous encounter at Indian Wells.
• Alcaraz aims to become the youngest man to win all four Grand Slam titles.

In a dramatic Australian Open fourth round on January 19, 2025, British number one Jack Draper was forced to retire while trailing to the third seed Carlos Alcaraz at Rod Laver Arena. Draper, who had battled through three grueling five-set matches to make it to this point, was clearly hampered by a nagging hip injury that had become increasingly problematic. After an intensive struggle, he decided to concede the match with a score of 7-5, 6-1, after first seeking treatment on the court.

As Draper left the court to a warm reception, Alcaraz, now booking his place in the quarter-finals, expressed disappointment regarding the circumstances of his advancement. "This is not the way that I want to get through to the next round," he stated, also adding, "I’m just happy to play another quarter-final here in Australia. But really sorry for Jack. He doesn't deserve to get injured." The sentiment was echoed by Draper, who described his condition as a "ticking time-bomb" and expressed concerns about his ongoing hip tendinitis.

Despite showing flashes of resilience, Draper’s physical condition was a limiting factor against Alcaraz, who is on a quest to become the youngest man in the Open era to complete the elusive career Grand Slam—a record previously held by Rafael Nadal. Alcaraz's performance, though slightly below par, showcased his potential as he dominates on the Australian courts.

The match pivoted dramatically when Draper broke back from a game down but was eventually unable to sustain his momentum. Alcaraz seized on Draper's errors, driving the final nail in the match once Draper announced his inability to continue. "I’m just happy with the level I’m playing on the court and feeling really comfortable here in Australia," noted Alcaraz post-match.

Having struck a significant blow in preserving his pursuit of Grand Slam glory, Alcaraz, who has already captured titles at the French Open and Wimbledon, is slated to face the winner between ten-time champion Novak Djokovic and Jiri Lehecka in the next round. On the contrary, Draper, lauded for his fighting spirit, must reconsider his approach to manage his injury-prone condition throughout his career.

For more coverage, follow details from BBC and Reuters.