Novak Djokovic has reached the Australian Open 2026 final after an epic five-set win over Jannik Sinner. After the match, the Serbian shared his conversation that he had with Carlos Alcaraz before the semifinal.
Novak Djokovic once again showed why he is regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time after producing a remarkable performance to reach the Australian Open 2026 men’s singles final on Friday. The 38-year-old Serbian defeated Jannik Sinner in an epic five-set semifinal that lasted more than four hours at Rod Laver Arena.
Djokovic won the match 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4. Sinner started strongly, taking the first set and later the third, but Djokovic used all his experience to fight back in the crucial moments, especially in the fourth and fifth sets where he saved several break points and stayed calm under pressure to secure a place in the final, where he will face
Carlos Alcaraz.
Djokovic reveals his chat with Alcaraz
After the match, Djokovic shared a light-hearted moment involving his final opponent, Carlos Alcaraz. He revealed that he met the Spaniard after Alcaraz’s semifinal, which had delayed the start of Djokovic’s match.
“I saw Carlos after the match and he told me, ‘I’m sorry to delay the start of your match,’” Djokovic said. “And I told him, ‘I’m an old man. I need to go earlier to sleep.’ So I’m looking forward to seeing him in a few days.”
Despite the jokes, Djokovic admitted the physical toll of the match and the challenge that lies ahead. “Honestly, it feels like winning already tonight,” he said. “But I know I have to come back in less than a couple of days and fight the number one in the world. I just hope I’ll have enough gas to stay toe-to-toe with him. And then let God decide the winner.”
All class, @DjokerNole 👏
Minutes before his own semifinal, Novak took out the time to congratulate Carlos Alcaraz on his epic victory. pic.twitter.com/ES9cfudVy2
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 30, 2026
An emotional Djokovic said he was struggling to find words after the win. He described the match as “surreal” and compared it to his legendary 2012 Australian Open final against Rafael Nadal.
“The level of intensity and the quality of tennis was extremely high. I knew that was the only way for me to have a chance tonight. He [Sinner] won the last five matches against me. He had my mobile number so I had to change my number for tonight,” Djokovic said.
The victory makes Djokovic the oldest player in the Open Era to reach an Australian Open men’s singles final. It will also be his record 38th Grand Slam singles final. On Sunday, he will be aiming for an 11th Australian Open title and a historic 25th Grand Slam crown.
End of Article
