After defying the odds to beat Jannik Sinner in their blockbuster semi-final clash at the Australian Open on Friday, Novak Djokovic had a message for his critics.
“I never stopped doubting,” said the 38-year-old after sending Sinner, the defending champion and world No 2, crashing out. “I never stopped believing in myself.
“There’s a lot of people that doubt me. I see there is a lot of experts all of a sudden that wanted to retire me or have retired me many times the last couple of years.
“I want to thank them all because they gave me strength. They gave me motivation to prove them wrong.”
Djokovic now stands on the brink of tennis immortality. If he manages to overcome Alcaraz at the Rod Laver Arena on Sunday, he’ll move ahead of Margaret Court and onto 25 Grand Slam titles.
He already has more majors than any other male player, despite arguably playing in the toughest of eras. In addition to Alcaraz and Sinner, he’s also had to pit his wits against formidable foes such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. That, certainly, is no small feat.
Djokovic’s comments suggest he remains committed to the sport. Retiring, at the current moment in time, doesn’t seem to be on his mind.
Novak Djokovic will battle for a 25th Grand Slam title when he faces Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open final on Sunday
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GETTY
But if he’s able to topple Alcaraz, the current world No 1, then what’s realistically left for him to achieve?
Nobody, as things stand, looks remotely like challenging his Australian Open record. He has won 10 titles Down Under. Even if Sinner and Alcaraz play for another two decades, they may struggle to get anywhere near that number.
When it comes to the French Open, Djokovic doesn’t have anything to prove. He was never quite as good on clay during his prime years as Nadal, who dominated the surface. Still, he can consider his three titles at Roland Garros as a job well done.
Novak Djokovic has lost the last two Wimbledon finals to Carlos Alcaraz
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PAWimbledon will arguably be the major that provides Djokovic with the most motivation. Federer is the reason why.
The Swiss maestro clinched eight in London during his own playing days and Djokovic, currently, has won less.
He will perhaps feel he should already have bettered Federer’s total. Had finals in 2013, 2023 and 2024 panned out differently, he would have done.
And then there’s the US Open, too. He has four crowns in New York but another crown at the Arthur Ashe Stadium is unlikely to be his priority.
Djokovic plays because he still loves the sport. Unlike Federer, Nadal and Murray, his body hasn’t yet failed him either.
There have obviously been signs of the great man creaking. 2024 and 2025 came and went with no Grand Slam crowns, with everybody adamant that Sinner and Alcaraz were in a league of their own.
Carlos Alcaraz stands in the way of Novak Djokovic and another Grand Slam triumph on Sunday | REUTERS
Yet even though a 25th major would mean he’s got nothing left to prove, the 38-year-old’s level this winter shows he’s still got plenty left in the tank.
Alcaraz, despite being pushed all the way by Alexander Zverev, will be the favourite.
He is younger, playing with more confidence and, as the world No 1, is on a level that nobody else has been able to reach.
But Djokovic is Djokovic. And whether he can conjure some of his old magic, one last time, is something only time will tell.
