He is in the fifth semifinal in a row, but he has been waiting for the title since 2023. Even at the age of 38, Novak Djokovic still proves that he belongs to the narrow top of the best tennis players in the world.
The only players on whom the Serbian giant cannot find a recipe are currently Carlos Alcaraz from Spain and Jannik Sinner from Italy.
It is with the second-named that he will face a battle to advance to the finals at the opening grand slam of the Australian Open 2026 season.
Happy progress
Djokovic reached the semifinals in a really unusual way. He played only two sets in the second week of the Grand Slam. He lost both.
First, he advanced to the round of 16 without a fight, as Czech Jakub Menšík did not start.
He was even luckier in the quarterfinals. He was already losing 0:2 in sets against Lorenzo Musetti, but the Italian player had muscle problems and scratched the match.
VIDEO: Editing of the Djokovic – Musetti match in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open 2026
“The only time I’ve seen him play almost at the same level as he is now was in the first sets against Alcaraz at Roland Garros 2025.
And apparently something similar to that happened there, which is of course very disturbing and unpleasant for Musetti and his team,” the legendary John McEnroe answered Sportnet’s question at a press conference.
Even for the American tennis player, today a commentator for TNT Sports, it is strange how Djokovic got into the TOP 4.
“It’s really unusual. But maybe he feels that he has nothing to lose at this stage of the tournament. In a sense, he shouldn’t have been there,” McEnroe said.
Will the game absence help him?
Djokovic has the advantage over his opponent that he is physically rested.
However, another thing upset the former player. “I was concerned about the blister I saw on him that he was being treated for. It looked quite unpleasant,” he described.
“I had a blister that needed to be treated and taped. And that’s my biggest concern right now. Honestly, I don’t have any other serious issues.
The body is in a sense in shock when you start the season and you say to yourself: ‘I will do more than usual’ because you want to succeed,” Djokovic responded to his health condition.
But for all his experience, McEnroe can’t imagine he needs more matches to get into a rhythm. However, he would like to see how his match with Menšík would turn out.
“I think he has the potential to win grand slams and it would be interesting to watch their duel after they played the final together in Miami,” he added.
McEnroe then assessed that it is currently extremely difficult for Djokovic to beat Alcaraz or Sinner.
“He’s talked about it himself, it’s no secret. These guys have been playing at a completely different level for the last few years. So he’s going to have to come up with something special.
I don’t know if he has any more tricks up his sleeve, but as we know him, maybe he does. Even so, it will be a huge challenge to beat Jannik,” he elaborated.
He seemed irritated
According to the seven-time Grand Slam champion, the Serb was lucky even in the opening week of the tournament.
In the third round, he dealt with Botic van de Zandschulp in three sets, but in the second, he hit the ball in frustration, which missed the ball feeder by just a few centimeters.
“He hit the ball towards the serve and missed it by about two inches. If he had hit it, he would have been disqualified. So we’re talking about a player who is unbelievable that he’s in the semifinals,” McEnroe replied.
VIDEO: Novak Djokovic almost hit the ball serve
Djokovic, despite the comfortable victories, seemed irritable at the beginning of the tournament. The American could not explain his behavior.
“Maybe he was just trying to motivate himself, to keep himself focused. Sometimes he just needs something extra. He’s been in this position so many times and he’s experienced everything that he needs an impulse to get him going,” he added.
McEnroe does not know what made him so angry in the match with the Dutchman.
“In any case, he was lucky. Then came Menšík’s scratch and subsequently Musetti’s. Maybe now he has to tell himself that luck is on his side,” he explained.
He doesn’t want to give up
At the press conference after the match with Musetti, Djokovic also spoke about his motivation to continue playing tennis.
However, he admitted that he has great respect for Sinner and Alcaraz, who are currently dominating tennis.
“They are young and this is a natural cycle in sports. You will have two superstars who will have maybe another third opponent. And I will be rooting for that, because I was always the third in the beginning,” responded Djokovic.
VIDEO: Preview before the semi-final Djokovic – Sinner
The Serb also added that their dominance, rivalry and contrast of personalities and playing styles is beneficial for the sport.
“And how does it affect me? I don’t feel like I’m chasing anyone. I’m making my own history. My intention is always to get to the finals, especially the Grand Slams. They’re the biggest reason why I’m still competing.
Are they better than me and all the other guys right now? Yes, they are. Their quality and level is amazing, phenomenal. But does that mean I go out with a white flag? Nope.
I will fight until the last shot, until the last point and I will do my best to beat them,” Djokovic explained his determination.
How long will he play?
When McEnroe just turned 34 years old, he admitted that his body was no longer cooperating. That is why he has respect for Djokovic, that at his age he is doing everything in his power.
“Against Musetti, his body just didn’t work, that’s what it was all about. Sometimes you wake up at that age and you just don’t have the flexibility that you have when you’re 25.
And yet he still keeps himself in the game. Maybe he’ll wake up by the semifinals and his body will feel better,” McEnroe replied.
Lorenzo Musetti (left) and Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open 2026. (Author: TASR/AP)
According to him, Djokovic is an exceptional person and a legend. A lot of the fact that he still continues his career depends on his motivation and how much he still wants to fight for victories.
“I’m amazed that he can play at this level even now. He still has the hunger, desire and determination to do whatever it takes,” he said.
And how long can he last on the circuit? According to the American, a lot depends on whether he will win another Grand Slam.
“The question is more: How long can he keep going mentally and physically when he’s won so much, but he’s not winning anymore? Honestly, I’d be surprised if he keeps it up for more than a year if the wins don’t keep coming,” concluded John McEnroe.
