Novak Djokovic: “This win almost equals winning a Grand Slam”
Following a historic five-set victory over Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic reflects on defying the “experts” who tried to retire him, his strategic recovery for the final, and why this semifinal stands as his finest performance in years. This is most of the quotes Novak delivered at the flash quotes spot in Melbourne after 2:00 am.
Novak Djokovic, 2026 | © AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayak/ SIPA
Novak, John McEnroe suggested on the broadcast that this might be your finest-ever performance. For a man with 24 Grand Slams, where does this win over Jannik Sinner actually sit for you?
Novak Djokovic: To be honest, I wouldn’t dare to call it the finest ever, but definitely the finest in the last couple of years. Under the circumstances – a semifinal against Sinner, who has been playing the best tennis of his life in the last couple of years, particularly here as the two-time defending champion – it doesn’t get better than this. When I started my preparations for the new season and set my goals, it was no secret that Grand Slams are where I want to play my best tennis. It becomes more difficult for me to motivate myself, and I ask myself questions: “What is it that I’m looking for from myself?” I was imagining playing against Jannik and Carlos at the final stages of Grand Slams this year, battling it out and really giving it all that I have. I’m very fortunate to already get it in the first slam of the year. It’s a big win. I’m very proud, very happy, and very relieved, as well, because it was physically very demanding and grueling.
You mentioned the 2012 final against Rafa in terms of the quality of tennis tonight. Back then, you didn’t have to play another match immediately, but now you have a final in 48 hours. How do you prepare?
Novak Djokovic: I don’t know. Let’s see. It’s almost 3 a.m. I cannot make any predictions right now. I’m definitely not going to train tomorrow. I’m just going to use every hour I possibly can to recover and hopefully get out on the finals day feeling somewhat refreshed.
For me, it’s not a surprise, to be honest. I know what I’m capable of.
Two days ago against Musetti, you seemed quite upset with your level of play. Tonight, your serve was near 80% and your forehand was clinical. How do you explain that jump in quality in such a short window?
Novak Djokovic: Well, I never stopped doubting, and I never stopped believing in myself. I see there is a lot of “experts” all of a sudden that wanted to retire me or have retired me many times in the last couple of years. I want to thank them all because they gave me strength. They gave me motivation to prove them wrong, which I have tonight.
For me, it’s not a surprise, to be honest. I know what I’m capable of. I’ve had many times in my career during a Grand Slam where it’s just one of those days where you’re not feeling your best. You try to find a way to win with everything that you possibly have, even though the quality of tennis is not even close to where you want it to be. I was lucky that Lorenzo [Musetti] got hurt and retired in that match.
Two days later, a different opponent. I knew exactly what was expecting me on the court, and I came out with great clarity, strategy, and a game plan. One thing is to imagine how you want to play; the other thing is to deliver it and execute it against Sinner. I rate it as the best of the last couple of years. For sure, one of the best performances in the last decade or so.
RECOVERY? I play tennis competitively mainly to be able to reach the finals of Grand Slams. Here I am, so I cannot complain about anything.
The final against Carlos Alcaraz carries immense weight. How do you assess the significance of Sunday?
Novak Djokovic: History is on the line for both of us every time we play. The finals of a Grand Slam have a lot at stake, but it’s no different from any other big match that I play. My preparation is as it should be. I won against him last year here in a grueling match, so let’s see how fresh we both are able to be. He also had a big match, but he has 15, 16 years on me. Biologically, I think it’s going to be a bit easier for him to recover. But I look forward to it. I play tennis competitively mainly to be able to reach the finals of Grand Slams. Here I am, so I cannot complain about anything. I’m just trying to enjoy the moment that I’m experiencing tonight. I’ll think about the final later, but for me, this is a win that almost equals winning a Grand Slam.
