Novak Djokovic had an eventful press convention after getting via to a different Australian Open semi-final.
Novak Djokovic apologised after being late for his Australian Open press convention (Picture: Australian Open YouTube)
Novak Djokovic apologised after a prolonged delay to his post-match press convention, after which took challenge with a line of questioning after reaching the Australian Open semi-finals through retirement. “I apologise for the day, thanks in your persistence,” the 10-time champion right here stated as he sat down to talk to reporters.
The No. 4 seed misplaced the primary two units of his match in opposition to Lorenzo Musetti, however the Italian out of the blue picked up an harm and retired at 6-4 6-3 1-3. Djokovic is now via to his seventh straight semi-final in Melbourne, and can face both Jannik Sinner or Ben Shelton. Sinner and world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz have cut up the final eight Grand Slam titles, however Djokovic reached the semis of all 4 Majors in 2025 and has been the third-best participant on the greatest tournaments behind Sinner and Alcaraz.
The 38-year-old was requested whether or not his present place, chasing Sinner and Alcaraz on the Slams, felt harking back to the early levels of his profession, when he was chasing Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. However he interjected.
“I am chasing Jannik and Carlos? Through which sense? So I am all the time the chaser and I am by no means being chased?” Djokovic requested. When the reporter clarified that it solely utilized to the Grand Slam tournaments proper now, and that he’d gained 24 Grand Slam titles in beneath 20 years, the Serbian celebrity added: “Thanks. It is price saying that typically, proper?”
Requested whether or not he might nonetheless examine the 2 levels in his profession, Djokovic replied: “Properly, I discover it slightly bit disrespectful that you simply sort of miss out on what occurred in between the place the instances after I began chasing, as you say, Rafa and Roger, and now that I am chasing Carlos and Jannik, and there is in all probability a few 15-year interval in between the place I used to be dominating the Grand Slams. So I believe it is essential to place that in perspective. I do not really feel like I am chasing, to be trustworthy.
“Roger and Rafa will all the time be my biggest rivals. I’ve super respect for what Jannik and Carlos are doing and so they proceed to do and they’ll do for the subsequent 10 to fifteen, 20 years. God is aware of what number of years they are going to play, they’re so younger.”
Djokovic is blissful to see Sinner and Alcaraz forming a brand new rivalry – and he’d additionally wish to see one other participant be part of them on the high. However he’s firmly centered on his personal quest for historical past, with a document twenty fifth Grand Slam title nonetheless on the road this week.
“Are they higher proper now than me and all the opposite guys? Sure, they’re. I imply, the standard and the extent is superb. It is nice. It is phenomenal. However does that imply that I stroll out with a white flag? No. I will combat till the final shot, till the final level, and do my best to problem them.”
Djokovic retired injured whereas dealing with Alexander Zverev within the semi-finals right here a 12 months in the past. Since then, his solely losses on the Majors have been to Sinner and Alcaraz. And he might properly get a shot at revenge on Friday if he meets two-time defending champion Sinner. Because the Serbian celebrity stated, he will not be happening with out a combat.
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