Australian Open: Djokovic schools reporter on difference between Sinnecaraz and Federer-Nadal rivalry

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion and 10-time Australian Open winner, was in no mood to be labeled a “chaser” in the current Jannik Sinner–Carlos Alcaraz era. Following his quarter-final progression over Lorenzo Musetti at the 2026 Australian Open, the Serbian legend took a moment to thoroughly school a reporter who suggested he had returned to his early-career role of hunting the world’s top two.

“I’m chasing Carlos and Sinner? In what sense?”

The 38-year-old, eyeing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, grew adamant about receiving the respect his career warrants. A reporter had asked: “You were chasing Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal early in your career and are now ‘chasing’ Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in the latter stages—how does that affect you?”

Stopping the scribe mid-sentence, Djokovic shot back: “I’m chasing Jannik and Carlos? In which sense? So, I’m always the chaser and never being chased?”

After allowing the reporter to finish—which included a mention of his 24 titles—the real schooling began. “Well, I find it a little bit disrespectful that you kind of miss out on what happened in between the times when I started ‘chasing,’ as you say, Rafa and Roger, and now that I’m chasing Carlos and Jannik,” Djokovic said. “There’s probably about a 15-year period in between where I was dominating the Grand Slams.”

“You’re going to have another two superstars that are going to maybe have a third guy, who I’m going to cheer for, because I’ve always been the ‘third guy’ at the beginning. It’s good for our sport. I think these kinds of rivalries and the contrast of personalities are very good for tennis. But how is that affecting me? I don’t feel like I’m chasing. I’m creating my own history,” added the most successful male player in history.

Why is Djokovic being called a chaser?

Since the Alcaraz-Sinner dominance has started, Djokovic has been unable to win a single title in the last two seasons. He did win the Olympic gold in Paris, but was not able to win a Grand Slam, with the gap between his last Grand Slam and the final of the Australian Open 2026 being 875 days. And it is yet not sure that he will end the 875-day drought as he faces Sinner in the semi-final on January 30 (Friday).

Table- Novak Djokovic: From ‘Third Guy’ to History Maker

25th title coming? Djokovic chases the dream

Djokovic, who last tasted Major success at the 2023 US Open, is now two wins away from a 25th title. A victory in Melbourne would make him the undisputed leader in Grand Slam history, moving him past Margaret Court’s all-time tally of 24. While Court won 13 of her titles in the pre-Open Era, Djokovic’s dominance is entirely consolidated in the modern era, a fact the Serb was keen to protect during his Melbourne Park masterclass in media management.