It’s all going Novak Djokovic’s way at the Australian Open. The Serbian legend, who owns 10 titles at Melbourne Park, took down two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner in a thrilling semifinal on Friday. It was a gripping five-set battle, swinging wildly between the Italian and the veteran. In the end, Djokovic walked away with a stunning 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 win. Now, as he heads into the final, emotion is pouring out of him.

“I’m lost for words right now, to be honest,” Novak admitted in his on-court interview. “It feels surreal, to be honest. Playing almost… it was four hours, it’s almost 2 a.m.”

After dropping the opener and falling two sets to one behind, it looked like Djokovic’s 2025 curse might strike again. It was the year he stumbled in every major semifinal. But the 38-year-old dug deep. He saved 16 of 18 break points in a four-hour, nine-minute war to book his first Slam final since Wimbledon 2024. When it was finally over, emotion swept through him and his team. They could hardly believe he was back on this stage.

“The quality of tennis was extremely high, and I knew that that was the only way for me to have a chance to win against him. He’d won the last five matches against me,” the Serb admitted. “Jokes aside, I told him at the net, ‘Thanks for allowing me at least one in the last couple of years.'”

“I have tremendous respect for him. Incredible player. I mean, he pushes you to the limit, which is what he did tonight to me.”

Since his 2023 US Open triumph, Novak Djokovic’s major count had stalled. Meanwhile, Sinner and Alcaraz took over the stage, splitting the last eight Grand Slam titles. Now, Djokovic has narrowed his head-to-head against the Italian No.1 to 5-6. He had lost his last two Slam semifinals at the 2025 French Open and Wimbledon to the world No.2. And he couldn’t help but thank the crowd for that.

“I cannot thank you enough for the support,” He added for the fans at Rod Laver Arena, “You guys have been incredible tonight. Honestly, incredible. I love our passion and relationship. Every year, it’s something different, you know, and tonight it has been one, if not the best night, atmosphere-wise, I’ve ever had in Australia.

Friday’s clash was his first five-setter since Roland Garros 2024, when he scraped past Francisco Cerundolo. Next up, a blockbuster final. Nole will face familiar rival Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday, after the Spaniard outlasted Alexander Zverev in a record-breaking five-hour, 27-minute semi to reach his first title match in Melbourne. The 22-year-old Spaniard has already declared he’s ready for the next challenge.

Alcaraz poses threat to Novak Djokovic ahead of first Slam final

Carlos Alcaraz dug deep and then some to outlast Zverev in a nailbiter Australian Open semi-final on Friday night. After five hours and 27 minutes of drama inside Rod Laver Arena, the Spaniard’s first priority was simple:

“Well, obviously I feel tired,” Alcaraz admitted in his post-match press conference. “Obviously my body could be better, to be honest, but I think that’s normal after five hours and a half. [After the match] I just did whatever it takes just to try to be better, to feel better tomorrow. Ice bath… I’m going to have treatment with the physio now, and we will see.”

The 22-year-old thought his adductor muscle might be acting up but wasn’t overly concerned:

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“Hopefully it’s not going to be nothing at all, but after five-hours-and-a-half match and that high level of physically, I think the muscles are going to be tight, and I just got to do whatever it takes to be as good as I can for the final,” he said.

At one point late in the third set, Alcaraz could hardly move, and the fourth set looked like slipping away. But just when Zverev sensed an opening, the Spaniard fired back, chasing down every ball and rallying from 3-5 in the decider to steal the win in the longest semi-final in Australian Open history.

Now, his attention shifts to Novak Djokovic, with the head-to-head standing at 5-4 in favor of the Serbian legend. Their last clash came at the 2025 US Open semi-final, where Alcaraz triumphed en route to the title. But after Djokovic’s ruthless show earlier today, the young Spaniard knows he’s in for another monster battle.

“My preparation is as it should be,” Novak Djokovic told reporters after defeating Jannik Sinner in his own semi-final. “I won against him last year here, you know, also in a gruelling match. Let’s see. Let’s see how fresh we are both able to be. He also had a big match, but he has 15, 16 years on me. You know, biologically, I think it’s going to be a bit easier for him to recover.”

The showdown is set for Sunday, February 1, and the stakes could not be higher. Alcaraz is hunting his first Australian Open crown and a Career Grand Slam, while Djokovic aims for his record-extending 11th Melbourne title and 25th major overall. Will Novak be ready to go the extra mile?