Tennis legend John McEnroe praised Novak Djokovic’s sportsmanlike response after his defeat in the US Open semi-final. The 38-year-old suffered a straight-sets loss of 6-4, 7-6, 6-2 to Carlos Alcaraz on Friday.
Djokovic faced setbacks in the semi-finals of all four major tournaments this year as he chased his 25th grand slam victory. Despite already holding the men’s record for major titles, securing another win would set him apart from the Open Era record shared with Margaret Court.
The Serbian player has not clinched a grand slam title since winning the US Open two years ago, coinciding with the rise of Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. McEnroe highlighted Djokovic’s demeanor following Alcaraz’s advancement to the US Open final.
Speaking on ESPN, McEnroe commended Djokovic for his grace in defeat, acknowledging the exceptional challenge posed by Alcaraz. Djokovic had previously defeated Alcaraz at this year’s Australian Open and the 2024 Olympics, but the Spaniard had triumphed in consecutive Wimbledon finals against Djokovic.
Reflecting on his loss, Djokovic expressed respect for Alcaraz and Sinner, acknowledging their current superiority in the game. Despite showing glimpses of his skill against Alcaraz, Djokovic admitted struggling to keep up with the younger player’s energy after the second set.
McEnroe, drawing parallels between Alcaraz and tennis legends, hinted at the possibility of Djokovic contemplating retirement. Djokovic, on the other hand, acknowledged the dominance of Alcaraz and Sinner in recent tournaments, emphasizing the evolving landscape of men’s tennis.
Alcaraz is set to face world No. 1 Sinner in the US Open final, with the potential to make history as the first men’s pair to meet in three out of four grand slam finals in a single season. Djokovic, evaluating his performance against the rising stars, acknowledged the challenges posed by the duo in the latter stages of major tournaments.
Despite grappling with the physical demands of the US Open and nearing the twilight of his career, Djokovic remains determined to continue competing at the highest level. He expressed a commitment to fight for another title, recognizing the arduous journey ahead.