Novak Djokovic was angered by a reporter’s question after his Australian Open quarter-final clash with Lorenzo Musetti on Wednedsay 28 January. Djokovic was able to make it to the semi-finals after Musetti, who led by two sets, was forced to withdraw from the game due to injury.
During a press conference, a reporter asked Djokovic what it was like for him chasing Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at this point in his career, as the pair have dominated the sport recently. While the former world number one admitted that Sinner and Alcaraz are the top dogs at the moment, he dismissed the idea of chasing the duo and felt the question was disrespectful to him.
Highlights of Day 12 of the 2026 Australian Open
Djokovic also recalled his personal achievements, a 15-year period in which he was one of the most dominant players on the circuit.
“Am I chasing Jannik and Carlos? In what sense? So I’m always the chaser and I’ve never been chased? I find it a bit disrespectful that you kind of missed what happened between when I started ‘chasing’ as you say Rafa and Roger and now when I’m chasing Carlos and Jannik. I think the 15-year or so period leading up to the Slam that I think was important in between. I don’t have the perspective to be honest feeling like I’m chasing,” said Djokovic.
Reporter: “You chased Roger and Rafa for titles and now you’re chasing Jannik and Carlos”
Novak: “I think it’s disrespectful that you miss what happened in between, it’s about 15 years since I won 24 slams”
Put him in his place
pic.twitter.com/RHtR49F5ho— SK (@Djoko_UTD) January 28, 2026
How does the Sincaraz Rivalry affect me?
Djokovic reiterated that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal remain his biggest rivals in the sport. The Serb commented on how he will root for the third guy in the Sincaraz rivalry, just as he did with Federer and Nadal.
Djokovic said he is trying to make his own history in the sport.
“Roger and Rafa will always be my biggest rivals. I have huge respect for what Jannik and Carlos are doing and they will continue to do it for the next 10, 15, 20 years. It’s kind of a natural cycle in sports. You’ll have 2 more superstars who will have maybe a 3rd guy that I’ll always root for because the third one was always good.” I think this kind of rivalry and contrast of personalities and playing styles is very good for tennis.
Djokovic will face Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals of the 2026 Australian Open.
– The end
Published on:
January 28, 2026
