Novak Djokovic reaches Australian Open final after stunning win over Jannik Sinner in historic title pursuit

The lone happening Novak Djokovic is "chasing" is records.

The 24-time Grand Slam victor earned the accidental to widen his rubric record, including his existent Australian Open record, aft helium stunned satellite No. 2 Jannik Sinner successful the men’s semifinals connected Friday successful a five-set thriller. 

Novak Djokovic, right, of Serbia is congratulated by Jannik Sinner, left, of Italy pursuing their semifinal lucifer astatine the Australian Open tennis tourney successful Melbourne, Australia, connected Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

The 38-year-old Serbian tennis prima defeated the defending two-time champion 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 to beforehand to the men’s last wherever helium volition look top-ranked subordinate Carlos Alcaraz. 

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"I’m mislaid for words close now, to beryllium honest," an affectional Djokovic said during an on-court interview, arsenic the assemblage erupted into "Novak" chants. "It feels surreal, to beryllium honest, playing astir 4 hours. It’s astir 2 a.m."

"The level of strength and I conjecture the prime of tennis was highly precocious and I knew that was the lone mode for maine to person a accidental to triumph against him tonight," helium continued. "I person tremendous respect for him, an unthinkable player. He pushes you to the precise limit, which is what helium did contiguous to me." 

Djokovic fended disconnected 16 of the 18 interruption points helium faced against Sinner and ended a tally of 5 losses to the Italian tennis star. It besides marked the extremity of a tally of 4 semifinal exits for Djokovic astatine the majors.

"He’s won 24 Grand Slams and we cognize each different precise good – however we play, truthful I ever said, ne'er [underestimate him] due to the fact that I consciousness similar he’s the top subordinate for many, galore years," Sinner said erstwhile asked if helium was amazed by Djokovic’s show connected Friday. 

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during his semifinal lucifer against Jannik Sinner of Italy astatine the Australian Open tennis tourney successful Melbourne, Australia, connected Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

NOVAK DJOKOVIC CALLS REPORTER'S QUESTION 'DISRESPECTFUL' AFTER AUSTRALIAN OPEN QUARTERFINAL MATCH

Earlier this week, Djokovic sparred with a newsman aft advancing to the semis with a walkover lucifer against fifth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti. The newsman suggested that Djokovic began his vocation "chasing" Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal and present astatine the "back end" of his career, helium was "chasing" Sinner and Alcaraz. 

"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?" 

Djokovic gave his rivals their flowers, but noted that helium recovered the proposition "disrespectful."

"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."

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates aft defeating Jannik Sinner of Italy successful their semifinal lucifer astatine the Australian Open tennis tourney successful Melbourne, Australia, connected Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

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He aboriginal added, "I don't consciousness similar I'm chasing. I'm creating my ain history." 

And past could beryllium made connected Sunday successful the men’s final. A triumph would widen Djokovic’s grounds to an unprecedented 25 Grand Slam titles, and his 10-title grounds astatine the Australian Open to 11.

"Let the God determine the winner," helium said of those odds. 

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