Novak Djokovic and a coveted 25th Grand Slam are within reach, but he must overcome top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz, who is trying to become the youngest man ever to complete a career Grand Slam.

Alcaraz and Sinner have shared the past eight Grand Slam titles since Djokovic won his last title at the 2023 U.S. Open.

No one knows how to win in Australia better than Djokovic, who has won ten finals, so hoisting the Norman Brooks Challenge Cup at Melbourne Park – where he won his first major trophy in 2008 – would be a fitting coup de grace at the pinnacle of his 20-year career.

Djokovic finally defeated one of the two men standing in the way of his unprecedented 25th Grand Slam singles title. Defeated two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner in five sets in Friday’s semifinals.

“I never stopped doubting it,” the Serbian told the media at around 3 a.m. inside the Rod Laver Arena.

“I never stopped believing in myself. There were a lot of people who doubted me. I saw a lot of experts suddenly wanting to retire me, or have retired me multiple times over the past few years.

“I want to thank all of them because they gave me strength. They gave me motivation to prove them wrong.”

Meanwhile, Alcaraz must go through a He defeated Alexander Zverev in a grueling five-set match that lasted 5 hours and 27 minutesbecoming the longest semi-final in Australian Open history.

“It feels surreal,” Djokovic said of his victory. “Honestly, it felt like tonight was already won. I know I have to come back and fight the No. 1 in the world. I just hope I’m motivated enough to face him.

“This is my wish, let God decide the outcome.”

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Djokovic defeated Sinner to break Ken Rosewall’s record as the oldest man to reach a final, and he can once again surpass the Australian to become the oldest man to win a Grand Slam title.

But he may need all the support on Rod Laver Arena as he looks to scale another Everest against world number one Alcaraz.

Alcaraz has won two trophies each at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open, and a win over Djokovic would make Alcaraz the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam, surpassing Don Budge, who won the 1938 French Open two days before his 23rd birthday.

He also became the first male player under the age of 23 to win seven Grand Slam titles, a distinction that Djokovic did not achieve until he was 27.

Facing Alcaraz, who will turn 39 in a few months, he should be better equipped to cope with the long journey.

He possesses incredible athleticism and arguably the purest shooting ability in the game, and he believes his talent can get the job done.

But try to tell that to the 24-year-old Sinner, whose hopes of a fifth Grand Slam title were dashed by Djokovic’s thumping blow from the baseline.

Of all Djokovic’s incredible achievements, this is undoubtedly one of the best, and if he can beat Alcaraz, it will become one of the most compelling sports stories of all time.

“We both face historical danger every time we play,” added Djokovic, who has won all ten previous finals at Melbourne Park.

“A Grand Slam final, there’s a lot at stake, but it’s no different than any other big tournament I’ve been in. My preparation is as good as it should be, I beat him here last year and it was a tough match as well.

“Let’s see how fresh we can both be. He also had a big game, but he’s 15, 16 years younger than me. Biologically, I think he’s going to come back easier.”

“But I’m looking forward to it. I play tennis mainly to be able to get to a Grand Slam final. I’m here, so I can’t complain about anything.”

face to face

Djokovic has won five of their nine previous meetings, including the final at the 2024 Olympics, but Alcaraz has won two Grand Slam finals at Wimbledon in 2023 and 2024.

One keen spectator is Rafael Nadal, who returns to the Australian Open for the first time since retiring more than a year ago.

He was not surprised to see Djokovic still fighting hard, saying: “When you enjoy doing it, if you’re not injured, if you’re not mentally super tired, why wouldn’t you come here?

“I think it’s a positive example of commitment and resilience. Novak, for obvious reasons, he’s not in his prime, but at an age where it’s hard to be very competitive, he’s still very, very competitive. So, full respect.”

Nadal admitted he could not back his old rival against his Spanish heir but added: “If Novak wins, I will be happy for him because what he has done at this stage of his career is very remarkable.

“So I would be happy. But if I have to support someone, I feel like I have to support Carlos.”

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