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Novak Djokovic sparred with a reporter after his Australian Open win that sent him to the semi-finals following the reporter’s suggestion that the 24-time Grand Slam champion has spent his career “hunting” his rivals.
Djokovic, 38, defeated fifth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti in the quarter-finals on Wednesday to set up a semi-final clash against two-time winner Jannik Sinner.
Novak Djokovic gestures during a press conference ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia, on January 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Despite owning a record 24 Grand Slam titles, including a record 10 at the Australian Open, Djokovic was asked during his post-match press conference how it felt to “chase” Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal early in his career and now “chase” Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in the latter stages.
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“I’m chasing Jannik and Carlos? In what sense?” he interrupted. “So I’m always the hunter and never the hunted?”
The reporter then admitted, “Meanwhile, you won 24 Grand Slams,” to which Djokovic replied with a smile, “Thanks, it’s worth saying that sometimes. Right?”
The Serbian tennis star allowed the reporter to finish his question before making his position clear.
Novak Djokovic reacts after defeating Botic van de Zandschulp in their third round match at the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia on January 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
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“Well, I think it’s a bit disrespectful that you kind of miss what happened between when I started ‘chasing’, as you say, Rafa and Roger, and now when I’m chasing Carlos and Jannik. There’s probably about a 15-year period in between where I dominated the Grand Slams.”
Djokovic admitted that while he doesn’t feel like he’s “chasing” anyone, Alcaraz and Sinner are “better right now” than almost everyone. But it is good for the game, according to Djokovic.
“You’re going to have two more superstars who might want a third guy that I’m going to cheer for because I’ve always been the ‘third guy’ in the beginning. It’s good for our sport. I think those kinds of rivalries and the contrast of personalities and the styles of play are very good for tennis. And how does that affect me? I feel like I’m creating my own history.”
Jannik Sinner celebrates his victory in the men’s singles third round of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
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Djokovic is chasing a historic 25th Grand Slam title when he meets Sinner in the semi-finals on Thursday.
