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The most successful player in men’s tennis history, Novak Djokovic, took exception to a question during a press conference ahead of his Australian Open semifinal against Jannik Sinner, highlighting tensions surrounding his legacy in the sport.
During the media session in Melbourne, Djokovic bristled at a reporter’s framing that suggested he was “chasing” younger stars Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who have claimed the last eight Grand Slam titles between them.
“I’m chasing Jannik and Carlos? In which sense?” Djokovic responded, before adding: “So I’m always the chaser, and I’m never being chased? I find it a little bit disrespectful that you kind of miss out on what happened in between where the times when I started chasing, as you say, Rafa and Roger, and now that I’m chasing Carlos and Jannik, and there’s probably about a 15-year period in between where I was dominating the Grand Slams.”
The 38-year-old Serbian star, who holds a record 24 Grand Slam singles titles including 10 Australian Opens, emphasized his place in tennis history. “It’s important to put that in perspective. I don’t feel like I’m chasing, to be honest. I’m creating my own history,” he stated firmly.
The exchange highlights the shifting dynamics in men’s tennis, where the so-called “Sincaraz” era—referring to Italian Sinner and Spaniard Alcaraz—has begun to take hold. These rising stars have prevented Djokovic from winning a major title since the 2023 French Open, creating a narrative of generational change that clearly irritates the veteran champion.
Djokovic’s path to this year’s semifinals has been unconventional. He received a walkover in the fourth round and benefited from fifth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti’s injury retirement in the quarterfinals when trailing 4-6, 3-6 but leading in the third set. Statistically, he hasn’t won a completed set since the third round.
Meanwhile, the 24-year-old Sinner continues his impressive 19-match winning streak at Melbourne Park after dispatching American Ben Shelton 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in the quarterfinals. The Italian holds a psychological edge over Djokovic, having won their last five encounters, including last year’s Australian Open semifinal that launched him toward the first of his now four Grand Slam titles.
Despite their rivalry, Sinner expressed respect for Djokovic’s longevity. “It improves you as a player and a person,” Sinner said of their matches. “We’re still lucky to have Novak here playing incredible tennis at his age. I’m lucky to have someone like him in front of my eyes and I can hopefully learn something.”
The other semifinal features an equally compelling matchup between world number one Carlos Alcaraz and third-seeded Alexander Zverev. At just 22, Alcaraz is chasing history as he attempts to become the youngest player ever to complete a career Grand Slam. Having already won titles at the US Open, Wimbledon, and Roland Garros, the Australian Open remains the only major missing from his collection.
Zverev, 28, is still pursuing his elusive first Grand Slam championship after reaching three finals, including last year’s Australian Open. Their head-to-head record stands at 6-6, with each claiming two victories in Grand Slam encounters. Most recently, Alcaraz defeated Zverev in the 2024 French Open final, while Zverev bested the Spaniard in last year’s Australian Open quarterfinals.
“It was impressive the level he’s been playing so far, so it’s going to be a great battle,” Alcaraz said after their recent practice match. “I know what I have to do. I will be well-prepared and if he wants to beat me, he has to sweat a lot!”
The four semifinalists represent the top four seeds in the tournament, setting up what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the year’s first Grand Slam. For Djokovic, the stakes extend beyond just another title—a 25th Grand Slam would further cement his status as the most decorated tennis player of all time, even as younger challengers continue to rise.
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8 Comments
Djokovic’s comments about ‘creating his own history’ rather than chasing others is a bold statement. It will be fascinating to see how this plays out in the semifinals and the rest of the Australian Open.
Djokovic’s desire to ‘create his own history’ is an admirable mindset, but he’ll have to back it up with his performance on the court. The Australian Open semifinals should be a thrilling showdown.
Feeling disrespected is never a good place for a champion to be, but Djokovic has proven time and again that he can use that as motivation. This match against Sinner will be a true test of his competitive spirit.
It’s understandable that Djokovic feels a bit disrespected, given his long dominance of the sport. Tennis fans will be eager to see if he can overcome the younger generation and cement his status as the GOAT.
Djokovic has always been driven to prove his greatness, and this match will be a true test of his abilities against the up-and-coming stars.
Djokovic’s legacy is undeniable, but the emergence of players like Sinner and Alcaraz has certainly shaken things up in men’s tennis. This match will be a must-watch as the old guard takes on the new.
Djokovic has certainly earned his place in tennis history with his incredible accomplishments. It will be interesting to see how he performs in the Australian Open semifinals and whether he can continue to create his own legacy.
Agreed, Djokovic is a true legend of the sport. He’s clearly not going to back down from any challenges, even from the rising stars like Sinner and Alcaraz.