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The only thing Novak Djokovic is “chasing” are records.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner had the chance to extend his record of titles, including his current record at the Australian Open, after upsetting world No. 2 Jannik Sinner in the men’s semi-finals on Friday in a five-set thriller.
Novak Djokovic, right, of Serbia, is congratulated by Jannik Sinner, left, of Italy, after their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Aarón Favila)
The 38-year-old Serbian tennis star defeated the two-time defending champion 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 to advance to the men’s final where he will face top-ranked player Carlos Alcaraz.
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“To be honest, I have no words right now,” an emotional Djokovic said during an on-court interview, as the crowd erupted into “Novak” chants. “To be honest, it seems surreal to play for almost four hours. It’s almost 2 in the morning.”
“The level of intensity and I guess the quality of the tennis was extremely high and I knew that was the only way to have a chance to beat him tonight,” he continued. “I have tremendous respect for him, he’s an incredible player. He pushes you to the limit, which is what he did with me tonight.”
Djokovic defended 16 of the 18 break points he faced against Sinner and ended a five-match losing streak against the Italian tennis star. It also marked the end of a streak of four semifinal appearances for Djokovic in the majors.
“He has won 24 Grand Slams and we know each other very well. How we play, so I always said, we never [underestimate him] because I feel like he’s the best player in many, many years,” Sinner said when asked if he was surprised by Djokovic’s performance on Friday.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during his semifinal match against Jannik Sinner of Italy at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
NOVAK DJOKOVIC CALLS REPORTER’S QUESTION ‘DISRESPECTFUL’ AFTER AUSTRALIAN OPEN QUARTERFINAL MATCH
Earlier this week, Djokovic argued with a reporter after advancing to the semifinals with an easy match against fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti. The journalist suggested that Djokovic started his career “chasing” Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal and now, at the “end” of his career, he was “chasing” Sinner and Alcaraz.
“Am I chasing Jannik and Carlos? In what sense?” -he interrupted. “So I’m always the pursuer and never get chased?”
The journalist then admitted: “In the meantime, you won 24 Grand Slams,” to which Djokovic responded with a smile: “Thank you, it’s worth saying sometimes. Right?”
Djokovic gave flowers to his rivals, but said he found the suggestion “disrespectful.”
“Well, I find it a little disrespectful that you’re missing what happened between the times when I started ‘chasing’, as you say, Rafa and Roger and now that I’m chasing Carlos and Jannik. There was probably a 15-year period at the time when I was dominating the Grand Slams.”
Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after defeating Jannik Sinner of Italy in their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
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He later added: “I don’t feel like I’m chasing. I’m creating my own story.”
And on Sunday history could be made in the men’s final. A victory would extend Djokovic’s record to an unprecedented 25 Grand Slam titles, and his record of 10 Australian Open titles to 11.
“Let God decide the winner,” he said of those odds.
