Jannik Sinner vs. Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open? Novak Djokovic says hold my racquet...

ATP Tour

Sinner vs. Alcaraz at the US Open? Djokovic aiming to 'mess up those plans'

Serbian defeated Fritz to set Alcaraz match in New York; now aims to spoil Sinner-Alcaraz final

Getty Images Novak Djokovic will take a 5-3 Lexus ATP Head2Head series lead into his semi-final clash against Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open on Friday. By Sam Jacot

There has been a lot of talk of a Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz final at the US Open this fortnight. The World No. 1 and World No. 2 have met in the past two major championship matches, with their previous five clashes on Tour coming in title deciders.

However, one man keen to block out the Sinner-Alcaraz noise and spoil the party is Novak Djokovic, who is chasing a record-extending 25th major. The 38-year-old Serbian defeated Taylor Fritz in four sets on Tuesday night to set a semi-final meeting against Alcaraz.

“We know that they are the two best players in the world. Everybody is probably expecting and anticipating the finals between the two of them. I'm going to try to mess up the plans of most of the people,” Djokovic said. “Let's see. Sinner still has to win a couple of matches to get to the final. But they are playing the best tennis of any players here. They have been the dominant force since the beginning of the tournament.

“But I definitely am not going with a white flag on the court. I don't think anybody does really when they play them, but particularly not me. I put myself in another semi-final of a Grand Slam this year. I have been very consistent, most consistent on Slams this season and that's what I said at the beginning of the year, where I would like to perform my best tennis and make the best results. Here we are. I have another chance, another shot.”

Djokovic has advanced to the semi-finals at all four majors in 2025, losing to Sinner at Roland Garros and Wimbledon and retiring against Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open.

The four-time US Open champion is chasing his first major since he won in Flushing Meadows in 2023 and might have to go through both Alcaraz and Sinner if he is to end his two-year wait. Sinner – who meets Lorenzo Musetti in the quarter-finals – and Alcaraz have won the past seven majors between them.

Having defeated Fritz in three hours and 27 minutes, Djokovic is hoping to be ready to go by the time he walks back onto Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday. He leads Alcaraz 5-3 in their Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

“It's not going to get easier. I tell you that,” Djokovic said cracking a smile. “I'm going to try to take one day at a time. Really take care of my body. Try to relax and recover. The next couple of days is really key for me to really get my body in shape and ready to battle five sets if it's needed. I just would really love that.

“I would love to be fit enough to play and to play potentially five sets with Carlos. I know that my best tennis is going to be required, but I'd rise to the occasion. Normally I like to play the big matches on a big stage. It's just that I'm not really sure how the body is going to feel in the next few days. But I'm going to do my very best with my team to be fit for that.”

Djokovic also reflected on his quarter-final win against Fritz in his post-match press conference. The seven-time Nitto ATP Finals champion, up three spots to No. 4 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings, improved to 11-0 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series against the American.

“Taylor is the kind of player that if you allow him to play, he's going to try to dictate, he's going to be aggressive, stay close to the line. He's going to take his forehands and punish you. I was just trying to survive, just trying to stay in the rally, make him play,” said Djokovic, who is 31-9 on the season according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.

“I think it was good for me that he wasn't making a lot of first serves in the first couple of sets. Then he raised the level of the first serve, and the first-serve percentage went up. Then, all of a sudden, it was so much more difficult for me to stay in his service games. But then, you know, I think in important moments in the fourth I served well, mixed it up, came to the net as well…. It's one of those days where you just have to grind, you know. You just have to play with your heart and fight.”

Did You Know?

Djokovic is now tied with Jimmy Connors for the most semi-final appearances (14) in tournament history. He won the US Open in 2011, 2015, 2018 and 2023.

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