Novak Djokovic has the most Grand Slam title in men’s tennis history. But his win Friday in an Australian Open semifinals may be up there with any of his 24 major titles.
Djokovic, 38, defeated world No. 2 Jannik Sinner in a five-set thriller at the semifinals of the Australian Open, ending the streak of three consecutive Grand Slam finals between Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Djokovic has advanced to his 38th Grand Slam final, the most in men’s tennis history. He will face No. 1 Alcaraz, who defeated No. 3 Alexander Zverev in five sets Friday. The two meet Sunday.
Sinner and Alcaraz were poised to meet for a fourth straight Grand Slam final, which has only been achieved one other time in the Open Era: Djokovic and Rafael Nadal from the 2011 Wimbledon to the 2012 French Open. Djokovic was an 8-to-1 underdog entering Friday’s semifinal with Sinner.
“I told [Sinner] at the net, ‘Thanks for allowing me at least one in the last couple of years,’” Djokovic said.
It was Sinner’s first outright loss against someone other than Alcaraz since August 2024, when he lost to Andrey Rublev at the Canadian Open. (Sinner lost at the 2025 Shanghai Masters, but retired due to injury.)
Djokovic and Alcaraz will compete for a record Australian Open prize of around $2.8 million . Djokovic is by far the highest earner in tennis history, amassing about $191.2 million. Alcaraz, 22, is already fifth all-time with $60 million in career earnings.
Sinner and Alcaraz had been drawing strong viewership numbers in their three consecutive Grand Slam finals match-ups, including an 82% increase for the 2025 US Open men’s final on ESPN.
But Sunday’s match-up may be even more thrilling than a fourth straight one between Sinner and Alcaraz. Djokovic will be chasing a record 25th Grand Slam while Alcaraz vies for his first Australian Open win—which would make him the youngest player to win a career Grand Slam.
