Novak Djokovic calls reporter's question 'disrespectful' after Australian Open quarterfinal win

Novak Djokovic sparred with a newsman aft his Australian Open triumph that sent him into the semifinals pursuing the journalist's proposition that the 24-time Grand Slam champion has spent his vocation "chasing" his rivals.

Djokovic, 38, defeated fifth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti successful the quarterfinals connected Wednesday to acceptable up a semifinal matchup against two-time victor Jannik Sinner. 

Novak Djokovic gestures during a property league up of the Australian Open tennis championships successful Melbourne, Australia. The property league took spot connected Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Despite owning a grounds 24 Grand Slam titles, including a grounds 10 astatine the Australian Open, Djokovic was asked during his post-match property league however it felt to beryllium "chasing" Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal aboriginal successful his vocation and present "chasing" Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz successful the second stages.

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"I’m chasing Jannik and Carlos? In which sense?" helium interrupted. "So I’m ever the chaser and ne'er being chased?"

The newsman past conceded, "In the meantime, you won 24 Grand Slams," to which Djokovic responded with a smile, "Thanks, it's worthy saying that sometimes. Right?" 

The Serbian tennis prima allowed the newsman to decorativeness his question earlier making his presumption clear. 

Novak Djokovic reacts aft defeating Botic van de Zandschulp successful their third-round lucifer astatine the Australian Open tennis championships successful Melbourne, Australia. The lucifer took spot connected Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

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"Well, I find it a small spot disrespectful that you benignant of miss retired connected what happened successful betwixt the times erstwhile I started ‘chasing,’ arsenic you say, Rafa and Roger and present that I’m chasing Carlos and Jannik. There’s astir apt astir a 15-year play successful betwixt wherever I was dominating the Grand Slams."

Djokovic went connected to admit that contempt not feeling similar he’s "chasing" anyone, Alcaraz and Sinner are "better close now" than astir everyone – but that, according to Djokovic, is bully for the game. 

"You're going to person different 2 superstars that are going to possibly person a 3rd guy—that I'm going to cheer for, due to the fact that I've ever been the 'third guy' astatine the beginning. It's bully for our sport. I deliberation these kinds of rivalries and the opposition of personalities and the styles of play are precise bully for tennis. And however is that affecting me? I don't consciousness similar I'm chasing. I'm creating my ain history."

Jannik Sinner celebrates his triumph successful the men's singles 3rd circular during Day Seven of the 2026 Australian Open astatine Melbourne Park connected Jan. 24, 2026 successful Melbourne, Australia.  (Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

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Djokovic is chasing different historical 25th Grand Slam rubric erstwhile helium faces Sinner successful the semifinals connected Thursday. 

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