NEW YORK (AP) – Novak Djokovic, 38, tried to conquer a young man’s game while heading to the U.S. Open semifinals on Friday. It’s been two years since his recent Grand Slam title, and for him it must be like eternity.
Last season was his first, not at least one of them has not earned since 2017. Djokovic knew very well that at this point in his career, the big trophys in the sport’s four biggest events were what he really cared about.
He withdrew from the semifinals in three other major matches this year, with two people injured: resigning at the Australian Open due to an injured groin muscle injury, apparently being restricted at Wimbledon. He has not competed since leaving the All England Club in July until he arrived at the Flushing Meadows.
Novak Djokovic
Now, Djokovic is back in New York’s last four games, with a daunting road ahead. Next comes Carlos Alcaraz, 22, who is ranked second. Win the game, if the defending champion beats Lorenzo Musetti in the quarterfinals, no matter who his semi-final opponent is in the final against 23-year-old Jannik Sinner on Sunday.
After 27-year-old No. 27 seed Taylor Fritz, 27, ruled out in the 53rd major semifinals in the U.S. Open and ranked 14th in the U.S. Open, Djokovic fiddled with his beard while thinking about what is about to happen.
“Well, it won’t get easier, I’ll tell you,” he said with a smile. “I’m going to try to spend a day at a time. Really take care of my body. Try to relax and recover. The next few days are really crucial for me and I really like five groups if needed. I really like it.”
Djokovic
Djokovic has nearly all the records of anything significant in men’s tennis, including 24 major tournaments, 37 major final appearances, and ranked No. 1 in the most weeks.
For him, the new thing is to adapt to competition in this age group.
“Usually, I like to play big games on a big stage. It’s just that I’m not sure how the body will feel in the next few days. But I’m going to do everything I can to keep my team doing what I can,” Djokovic said. “There will be a lot of campaigns. It won’t be short.”
Djokovic vs. U.S. Open Semi-Final Opponent Alcalaz
He has a 5-3 face-to-face mark against Alcaraz, who has won five Grand Slam titles and has combined with Sinner to win the last seven and nine of the last 12.
Don’t forget: the other three of that span entered Djokovic, the most recent time at the 2023 U.S. Open.
“I have another chance, again,” Djokovic said. “That can be anyone’s game.” ”
Djokovic won two latest meetings against Dynamic Alcalaz in the gold medal final of last year’s Paris Olympics in the Australian Open quarter-finals this January.
“I really want to take revenge,” Alkaraz said. “It’s obvious.”
Alcaraz has reached the final in the last 7 games, winning 5 titles
Alcaraz has been ridiculous in the tournament for the past 1 1/2 weeks and has not dropped the tournament, leading the tour with six titles and a 59-6 record for most of 2025.
He has won the game 43-2 since April in Monte Carlo, Rome, Roland Garros, Queens Club and Cincinnati. Both losses are in the finals – in Barcelona (versus Holger Runes) and Wimbledon (versus the Sinners).
Djokovic knows what Alcaraz and Sinner have done recently.
“We don’t need to say something to them both. We know they are the two best players in the world,” Djokovic said, losing to the sinners in the French Open and Wimbledon’s semifinals. “Everyone is likely to expect and expect between the two of them (US Open Finals). I’m going to try to mess up most people’s plans.”
Then Djokovic added: “I will never wear a white flag on the court.”
