Djokovic slams ‘disrespectful’ Australian Open – Sports News
Novak Djokovic apologised after being late for his Australian Open press convention (Image: Australian Open YouTube)
Novak Djokovic supplied an apology for maintaining reporters ready earlier than his post-match press convention, then bristled at a specific query following his development to the Australian Open semi-finals by way of his opponent’s retirement. “I apologise for the day, thank you for your patience,” the 10-time Melbourne champion stated as he took his seat earlier than the media.
The No. 4 seed dropped the opening two units in opposition to Lorenzo Musetti, however the Italian instantly sustained an damage and withdrew at 6-4 6-3 1-3.
Djokovic has now superior to his seventh consecutive semi-final in Melbourne, the place he’ll meet both Jannik Sinner or Ben Shelton. Sinner and world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz have claimed the earlier eight Grand Slam championships between them, although Djokovic made the ultimate 4 in any respect 4 Majors in 2025 and has been the third-strongest performer on the sport’s largest occasions behind Sinner and Alcaraz.
The 38 12 months previous was questioned about whether or not his present standing, trailing Sinner and Alcaraz on the Slams, evoked reminiscences of his profession’s early days when he was pursuing Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. But he interrupted, experiences The Express UK.
“I’m chasing Jannik and Carlos? In which sense? So I’m always the chaser and I’m never being chased?” Djokovic questioned. When the journalist defined the remark solely referred to Grand Slam tournaments at current, and acknowledged his 24 Grand Slam titles received in much less than 20 years, the Serbian icon responded: “Thanks. It’s worth saying that sometimes, right?”
Novak Djokovic was mounting a comeback as Lorenzo Musetti was pressured to retire (Image: Getty)
When questioned about drawing parallels between the 2 phases of his profession, Djokovic responded: “Well, I find it a little bit disrespectful that you kind of miss out on what happened in between where the times when I started chasing, as you say, Rafa and Roger, and now that I’m chasing Carlos and Jannik, and there’s probably about a 15-year period in between where I was dominating the Grand Slams. So I think it’s important to put that in perspective. I don’t feel like I’m chasing, to be honest.
“Roger and Rafa will all the time be my best rivals. I’ve great respect for what Jannik and Carlos are doing and so they proceed to do and they’ll do for the subsequent 10 to fifteen, 20 years. God is aware of how a few years they’ll play, they’re so younger.”
The tennis legend is pleased to witness Sinner and Alcaraz establishing a fresh rivalry and hopes another competitor will emerge to challenge them at the summit. However, his primary attention remains locked on making history himself, with an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam championship still within reach this week.
Novak Djokovic hit out at ‘disrespectful’ questions after his Australian Open exit (Image: Getty)
“This is a variety of natural cycle in sports activities. You know, you are going to have one other two superstars which might be going to perhaps have one other third man, you understand, that I’m going to cheer for, as a result of I’ve all the time been the third man at the start, but it surely’s good for our sport,” he continued.
“I believe these variety of rivalries and the distinction of the personalities and the kinds of play are superb for tennis. How is that affecting me? As I stated, I do not really feel like I’m chasing. I’m creating my own historical past, and I believe, you understand, I’ve been very clear once I say that my intention is all the time to – in phrases of achievements and goals and outcomes, I wish to get to the championship match in each event, notably Slams. Slams are one of the most important explanation why I keep on competing and taking part in tennis. So, yeah, I imply, that is all I can say.
“Are they better right now than me and all the other guys? Yes, they are. I mean, the quality and the level is amazing. It’s great. It’s phenomenal. But does that mean that I walk out with a white flag? No. I’m going to fight until the last shot, until the last point, and do my very best to challenge them.”
Djokovic was pressured to withdraw on account of damage whereas going through Alexander Zverev in final 12 months’s semi-finals at this venue. Since that setback, his solely Major defeats have come by the hands of Sinner and Alcaraz.
The Serbian legend may get an alternative for payback on Friday if he squares off in opposition to two-time defending champion Sinner. As the tennis great made clear, he is ready to battle till the very finish.
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