Novak Djokovic reacted irritably. © APA/afp / MARTIN KEEP
Jannik Sinner will fight for the final in the semi-finals of the Australian Open against Novak Djokovic on Friday. The Serb previously reacted snippily at the press conference.
29 January 2026
From: det
The student against the master, the young star against the old star, the prince against the king: When Jannik Sinner meets Novak Djokovic on Friday, two tennis generations will collide. And that’s exactly what makes this duel so special. After Djokovic’s lucky semi-final entry, however, he was confronted at the press conference with a generational question that he didn’t like at all.
A journalist asked: “At the beginning of your career you were the hunter of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Now it seems as if you are the hunter of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.” Djokovic immediately intervened: “I’m chasing Jannik and Carlos? To what extent?”
“I won 24 Grand Slams, maybe that should be mentioned.”
Novak Djokovic
The journalist referred to the dominance of the two young stars in recent years, and Djokovic reacted with pique: “So I’m always the hunter and never the hunted?” And after a short pause, he added: “I’ve won 24 Grand Slams. Maybe we should mention that every now and then.”
Superstar Novak Djokovic. © APA/afp / WILLIAM WEST
Then he added in the direction of the reporter: “I find that a bit disrespectful of you. There are 15 years between the time of Roger and Rafa and the time of Jannik and Carlos. And in those 15 years I dominated the Grand Slams. You have to put things in perspective.” Djokovic also emphasized: “Roger and Rafa will always remain my biggest rivals. I also have the greatest respect for what Jannik and Carlos are doing. They will continue to do so for a long time…”
This is all a natural cycle in sport. “New superstars are emerging, maybe there will even be a third man. That’s positive for our sport.” At the end, Djokovic made it clear: “I’m not chasing anyone, I’m focused on writing my own story.”
