Carlos Alcaraz Calls Novak Djokovic’s Records ‘Unrepeatable’ After Downing Him in US Open Semifinals

Carlos Alcaraz has improved his head-to-head record over Novak Djokovic in Grand Slam events to 3-2.

Carlos Alcaraz Calls Novak Djokovic’s Records ‘Unrepeatable’ After Downing Him in US Open Semifinals

Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K)

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Carlos Alcaraz finally got his much-desired revenge on Novak Djokovic with a quick straight-set win in the US Open semifinal, winning his fourth match in their ninth meeting. Alcaraz and his arch-rival Jannik Sinner have won the last seven Majors, and once again, one of them will become a Grand Slam champion.

Alcaraz knows that reaching where Djokovic stands right now is going to be nothing but tough. Djokovic has many records to his name, including the record of 24 Grand Slam titles, and Alcaraz acknowledged the same during his interview with ESPN.

I think everyone knows Novak as a player. What he does on court is unrepeatable, all the records. But above all, he is a wonderful person, and he’s always there to help the young ones, everyone. And that really deserves admiration. He is such a wonderful person, and that is what makes him great.

Alcaraz will next be shifting his focus to improve his head-to-head record over Sinner to 10-5 by beating him in the US Open final. Sunday’s clash will be their fifth meeting of the season, as well as their third straight one in the Majors.

Their Grand Slam final win-loss record is tied at 1-1 after Alcaraz’s French Open title defense and Sinner’s career-first Wimbledon win. The four-time Grand Slam winner, also the defending champion, defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime in four sets to reach his fourth Major final of the season, becoming only the fourth and the youngest man in the Open Era to achieve it. Another win will make the Italian the first man since Roger Federer (2008) to defend the title at Flushing Meadows.

Australian Open director Craig Tiley on Novak Djokovic’s retirement

It’s still uncertain when Novak Djokovic will hang up his racket. After his US Open exit, Nole said at the press conference that retirement thoughts are not at all in his mind at this moment, that he wants to continue his hunt for the record 25th Grand Slam title next year as well.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

The Major event where Djokovic achieved the most success is the Australian Open, where he has reached 10 finals, winning all. Australian Open director Craig Tiley, during an interview with CLAY, has promised a big farewell for the 24-time Grand Slam champion when he plans to call time on his career.

All I can say is it’s going to be big. I hope it’s for a long time still, though. He’s a great player, and I would like to see him play longer. He still does extremely well. When the time comes…we do have some ideas! It would be premature to share them now. I don’t see Novak retiring any time soon. He’s at the top of his game. We’re more focused on having a great event in 2026.

Djokovic last clinched the Australian Open in 2023 with a straight-set win over Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas. In the previous two editions, his campaigns ended in the semifinals.

This year, an injury spoiled his match as he had to give the walkover to World No.3 Alexander Zverev, whom he would have surpassed in the rankings had he lifted the US Open. His US Open run helped him become a top 4 player once again.

Djokovic is expected to feature at the Shanghai Masters next. In the Masters 1000 event, where the Belgrade native has claimed four titles, he was defeated in the final last year.

So far this season, the 38-year-old played two finals (won the Geneva Open and lost the Miami Open). His last Grand Slam appearance was at the 2024 Wimbledon, where Alcaraz defeated him in straight sets. Djokovic last lifted a Big Title at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Also read: Jessica Pegula Left Short of Words to Explain her US Open Semifinal Defeat to Aryna Sabalenka