Novak Djokovic Shows Optimism to Continue Fighting for Grand Slams After US Open Semifinal Defeat to Carlos Alcaraz

Novak Djokovic has lost in the semifinals of all four Grand Slams this year.

Novak Djokovic Shows Optimism to Continue Fighting for Grand Slams After US Open Semifinal Defeat to Carlos Alcaraz

Novak Djokovic (via X/The Tennis Letter)

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Serbian tennis legend Novak Djokovic has remained optimistic about landing his much-awaited 25th Grand Slam title in 2026. The Serbian has come close to doing so in 2025, but fell in the last four to either Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz in three of the four Grand Slams.

At the US Open, he lost against Alcaraz in straight sets. He has not won any set in any of the four Grand Slam semifinals he has contested this year.

It will be very difficult for me in the future to overcome the hurdle of Sinner and Alcaraz in BO5, I have better chance in best-of-three. I’m not giving up on Grand Slams in that regard. Having said that I’m going to continue fighting and trying to get to the finals, to fight for the trophy, at least, but it’s going to be a very difficult task.

Djokovic has won only one title since the Olympic Gold medal win in 2024, which came at Gstaad. He has not reached a Grand Slam final in a season for the first time since 2017.

On the other end, Sinner and Alcaraz are continuing to showcase their dominance on the tour. The duo have won the last seven Grand Slams.

Carlos Alcaraz gains revenge on Novak Djokovic

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic renewed their rivalry on Friday at the US Open. The 22-year-old Spaniard defeated the 38-year-old Serbian 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-2 to book his spot in his seventh Grand Slam final and second in New York. The match lasted two hours and 25 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium, with Alcaraz reversing his recent losses to Djokovic at the Australian Open and the Paris Olympics. The victory also keeps him in contention for his sixth major title and a return to World No. 1.

Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic
Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz, ATP Tour)

Alcaraz showcased his explosive power and resilience throughout the encounter. After falling behind 0-3 in the second set, he clawed back to secure a crucial two-set lead. His heavy groundstrokes dictated most rallies, leaving Djokovic struggling to find rhythm. In the final set, the Serbian’s physical level dipped, giving Alcaraz the edge to close out the match in commanding fashion.

With this win, Alcaraz narrowed his head-to-head record against Djokovic to 4-5. He also stretched his unbeaten run to 12 matches. The second seed has now reached the final in each of his past eight tournaments, a streak dating back to Monte Carlo in April. His most recent success came in Cincinnati, where he claimed his eighth Masters 1000 crown.

Looking ahead, Alcaraz could face Jannik Sinner in Sunday’s championship match. Should the Italian beat Felix Auger-Aliassime in the semifinals, it would mark the third time this season that Alcaraz and Sinner meet in a major final. The pair have already shared memorable battles in Paris and Wimbledon, with each man winning once. Another showdown in New York would add a fresh chapter to their growing rivalry.

Jannik Sinner seeks history at the US Open

Jannik Sinner has enjoyed a remarkable rise in 2024 and is on the verge of making more history at the US Open. The Italian has already played in four straight Grand Slam finals, joining a select group of 11 men in the Open Era to reach the title match at every major. Only Jim Courier managed the feat at a younger age.

Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Jannik Sinner HQ)

His victories over Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open and Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon, along with a runner-up finish to the Spaniard at Roland Garros, highlight his standout season. Now, a semifinal win over Felix Auger-Aliassime would put him in his first US Open final and make him only the fourth man in history to contest all four Slam finals in a single year.

Rod Laver set the standard back in 1969. The Australian legend remains the only man in the Open Era to capture the Calendar Grand Slam. That season, he claimed the Australian Open by beating Andres Gimeno, went on to defeat Ken Rosewall in Paris, and outplayed fellow countrymen John Newcombe and Tony Roche at Wimbledon and the US Open. His sweep of all four majors in one year cemented his status as one of the game’s greats.

Decades later, Roger Federer repeated the four-finals feat on three occasions. The Swiss first achieved it in 2006, with victories in Melbourne, Wimbledon, and New York, losing only to Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros. He did the same in 2007, again falling short in Paris but winning the other three. In 2009, Federer lifted trophies at the French Open and Wimbledon but finished runner-up at both the Australian Open and US Open. His consistency across surfaces in that era was unmatched.

Novak Djokovic has also accomplished the rare achievement three times. In 2015, he won in Australia, Wimbledon, and New York, while Stan Wawrinka stopped him in Paris. In 2021, he came within one win of the Calendar Slam, falling to Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final after taking the first three majors. Most recently, in 2023, he won in Melbourne, Paris, and New York, with Carlos Alcaraz denying him at Wimbledon. Ivan Lendl deserves mention too, as he reached three major finals in 1986 but was denied the chance at a fourth when the Australian Open was not held that year.