A Sinner – Alcaraz final? Djokovic wants to ‘spoil most people’s plans’
Novak Djokovic has won his last two matches against Carlos Alcaraz, the most recent being at the Australian Open in 2025.
Novak Djokovic, US Open 2025 – © Psnewz
For the seventh time in his career, Novak Djokovic has reached at least the semi-finals of all four Grand Slam tournaments in a single season. Out of his 80 Grand Slam appearances, he has reached this stage 53 times, which amounts to 66.25% of the time.
Impressive statistics that demonstrate the 38-year-old player’s consistency at the highest level. But in 2025, a new challenge presents itself when the road gets tougher: how to reach a 38th Grand Slam final? This season, Novak Djokovic was undone by his physical condition in the Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev. He was also defeated at the same stage at Roland-Garros and Wimbledon by the world number one, Jannik Sinner.
This time, it’s Carlos Alcaraz who stands in his way. The Spaniard hasn’t lost a single set in the tournament so far and has already played in two Grand Slam finals this season, at Roland-Garros and Wimbledon. On paper, the Spaniard is the favorite against the Serb, and most people are hoping for another Alcaraz – Sinner final, following the ones in Paris and London. But Novak Djokovic doesn’t see it that way and is determined to shake things up.
“We don’t need many words to talk about them; we know they are the two best in the world. Everyone is anticipating each final between them, so I’m going to try to spoil most people’s plans. Sinner still has a few matches to win to reach the final, but he is playing the best tennis of any player here, he has been the dominant force since the start of the tournament.”
“I’m certainly not going out on the court waving a white flag; I don’t think anyone will, but certainly not me. I’ve already reached other semi-finals this season, I’ve been very consistent, especially in the Grand Slams, you know that’s where I like to produce my best tennis, achieve my best results. And here we are, with another opportunity. I hope to arrive in good form and play well enough to match Carlos on the court.”
I don’t feel very fresh at the moment, but I hope that in two days the feeling will be different.
Novak Djokovic has already dropped three sets since the start of the tournament: one against American Zachary Svajda in the second round, one against Cameron Norrie in the third round, and another this Tuesday against Taylor Fritz. The world No. 7 has also received on-court treatment during the tournament and stretched his neck quite a bit in the quarter-finals.
Physically more challenged over the course of a Grand Slam, the Serb will need to be at 100% against Carlos Alcaraz on Friday. He now has two days to recover, but he doesn’t yet know exactly what condition his body will be in when facing the Spaniard for a spot in the final.
“We’ll see in two days. The positive thing about the schedule is that I now have two days without a match, which helps me a lot. I don’t feel very fresh at the moment, but I hope that in two days the feeling will be different. I’m going to try to take things day by day, take care of my body, relax, and recover.”
“The next two days will be crucial to get my body in shape and be ready to fight for five sets if necessary. I would really love that; I enjoy being fit enough to play fully, to reach a potential fifth set against Carlos. I’ll need my best tennis to rise to the occasion. I usually like to play the big matches on a big stage, but right now, I don’t know how my body will feel in a few days, so I’ll try to do my best with my team to arrive prepared.”
