Australian Open: Ahead of semi-final clash against Jannik Sinner, Djokovic says 'Roger and Rafa will always be my greatest rivals'

Novak Djokovic said he is not competing with current world number one Carlos Alcaraz or number two Jannik Sinner, and added that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will remain his biggest rivals.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion, seeded fourth, reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open after his quarter-final opponent Lorenzo Musetti was forced to retire on Wednesday. Musetti was leading 6-4, 6-3, 3-1 when he was forced to stop the match

After the match, Djokovic spoke about the rise of Alcaraz and Sinner but said his defining rivalries were still with Federer and Nadal.

"Roger and Rafa will always be my greatest rivals. I have tremendous respect for what Jannik and Carlos are doing and what they will do for the next 10 to 15, 20 years... God knows how many years they're going to play, they're so young," Djokovic said, as quoted by the ATP Tour website.




Djokovic said the emergence of new leading players was part of the normal cycle in sport and suggested another top player could soon join Alcaraz and Sinner. He said he would support that player, recalling his own early years on tour.

"This is a natural cycle in sports. You're going to have another two superstars [and] maybe have another third guy -- who I'm going to cheer for -- because I've always been the third guy at the beginning. But it's good for our sport. I think these kinds of rivalries and the contrast of the personalities and the styles of play are very good for tennis," he said.

Djokovic also said the rivalry between Alcaraz and Sinner does not affect him, as his focus remains on his own targets.

"How is [their rivalry] affecting me? As I said, I don't feel like I'm chasing. I'm creating my own history. I've been very clear when I say that my intention is always in terms of achievements, objectives and results. I want to get to the championship match in every tournament, particularly Slams. Slams are one of the biggest reasons why I keep on competing and playing tennis," Djokovic said.

He acknowledged that Alcaraz and Sinner are currently playing at a higher level, but said he has no intention of stepping aside.

"Are they better right now than me and all the other guys? Yes, they are. 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," he said.

In 2025, Djokovic reached the semi-finals of all four Grand Slam tournaments. He retired against Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open, lost in straight sets to Sinner at both the French Open and Wimbledon, and was beaten by Alcaraz at the US Open.

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