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Novak Djokovic fought with a journalist after his Australian Open victory sent him to the semi-finals after the journalist’s suggestion that the 24-time Grand Slam champion had spent his career “chasing” his rivals.
Djokovic, 38, beat fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti in the quarterfinals on Wednesday to set up a semifinal showdown against two-time winner Jannik Sinner.
Novak Djokovic gestures during a press conference ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia, January 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Despite owning a record 24 Grand Slam titles, including a record 10 at the Australian Open, Djokovic was asked in his post-match press conference what it was like to “chase” Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal early in his career and now to “chase” Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in the latter stages.
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“Am I chasing Jannik and Carlos? In what direction?” he interrupted. “So I’m always the pursuer and I’m never chased?”
The journalist then conceded: “In the meantime, you have won 24 Grand Slam tournaments,” to which Djokovic replied with a smile: “Thank you, that’s worth saying sometimes. Isn’t it?”
The Serbian tennis star allowed the journalist to finish his question before clarifying his position.
Novak Djokovic reacts after defeating Botic van de Zandschulp in their third round match at the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia, January 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
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“Well, I find it a little disrespectful that you’re missing out on what happened between when I started ‘chasing’, as you say, Rafa and Roger and now where I’m chasing Carlos and Jannik. There’s probably about 15 years in between where I was dominating the Grand Slams.”
Djokovic admitted that while he doesn’t feel like he’s “chasing” anyone, Alcaraz and Sinner are “better right now” than almost everyone. But it’s good for the game, according to Djokovic.
“You’re going to have two other superstars who maybe have a third guy that I’m going to root for because I was always the ‘third guy’ in the beginning. It’s good for our sport. I think those kinds of rivalries and the contrast of personalities and playing styles are very good for tennis. And how does that affect me? I don’t feel like I’m chasing. I’m creating my own story.”
Jannik Sinner celebrates his victory in the third round of the 2026 Australian Open men’s singles at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia. (Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
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Djokovic is aiming for a historic 25th Grand Slam title when he faces Sinner in the semi-finals on Thursday.
