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The only thing Novak Djokovic is “chasing” is records.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner had the chance to extend his title record, including his current record at the Australian Open, after stunning world number 2 Jannik Sinner in the men’s semi-final on Friday in a five-set thriller.
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, right, is congratulated by Italy’s Jannik Sinner, left, after their semi-final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, January 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
The 38-year-old Serbian tennis star beat 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 player Carlos Alcaraz.
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“I’m at a loss for words right now, to be honest,” an emotional Djokovic said in an on-court interview, as the crowd broke out “Novak” chants. “It’s surreal, to be honest, playing for almost four hours. It’s almost 2 a.m.”
“The level of intensity and quality of tennis was extremely high and I knew that was the only way I could have a chance of winning against him tonight,” he continued. “I have a lot of respect for him, he’s an incredible player. He pushes you to the limit, and that’s what he did to me tonight.”
Djokovic repelled 16 of the 18 break points he faced against Sinner and ended a five-game losing streak against the Italian tennis star. It also marked the end of a streak of four semifinal exits for Djokovic at majors.
“He has won 24 Grand Slams and we know each other very well – how we play, so I always said, never [underestimate him] because I feel like he’s the greatest player in many, many years,” Sinner said when asked if he was surprised by Djokovic’s performance on Friday.
Serbian Novak Djokovic reacts during his semi-final match against Italian Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, January 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)
NOVAK DJOKOVIC calls reporter’s question ‘disrespectful’ after Australian Open quarter-final match
Earlier this week, Djokovic got into a fight with a reporter after advancing to the semifinals with a no-forfeit match against fifth-seeded 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 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?”
Djokovic offered flowers to his rivals, but noted he found the suggestion “disrespectful.”
“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.”
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates after defeating Italy’s Jannik Sinner in their semi-final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, January 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
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He then added, “I don’t feel like I’m chasing. I’m creating my own story.”
And history could be written on Sunday during the men’s final. A victory would take Djokovic’s record to an unprecedented 25 Grand Slam titles, and his record 10 Australian Open titles to 11.
“Let God decide the winner,” he said of those odds.
