MELBOURNE/WASHINGTON, January 31, 2026 (by Michael Dickens)
Novak Djokovic showed why it’s important to believe nothing is impossible. The 24-time major champion moved one step closer to an historic, record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title early Saturday morning at the Australian Open after he pulled off a thrilling and dramatic five-set victory over two-time defending AO champion Jannik Sinner, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, in four hours and nine minutes on Rod Laver Arena. It was a night – and early morning – to remember.
The World No. 4 wrapped up his semifinal victory over Sinner at 1:33 a.m. early Saturday morning on his third match-point opportunity, which broke a five-match losing streak against the Italian. Upon securing match point, Djokovic received congratulations from Sinner at the net. Next, he tossed his racquet aside and raised his arms in celebration, then knelt down on the court, crossed himself, and blew a kiss to the heavens.
“It feels surreal,” Djokovic said after securing his victory over Sinner. “Honestly, it feels like winning already tonight. I know I have to come back … and fight the No. 1 of the world. I just hope that I’ll have enough gas to stay toe-to-toe with him.
“For me, this is a win that almost equals winning a Grand Slam.”
UNBELIEVABLE ‼️
Novak Djokovic will face Carlos Alcaraz in the #AO26 Final after playing out this EPIC with Jannik Sinner@wwos • @espn • @tntsports • @wowowtennis • #AO26 pic.twitter.com/DLUdQdtFmd
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 30, 2026
During his news conference afterward, Sinner was asked how much the lengthy, five-set loss to Djokovic hurt. “A lot. It was a very important Slam for me, of course, knowing also the background, it can happen. It was a good match from both of us. I had many chances. Couldn’t use them and that’s the outcome. It hurts, for sure.”
The 38-year-old Djokovic showed why he’s winning the match against Father Time as he moved into his 38th career Grand Slam title match – and another bid for career Grand Slam No. 25 that would break the record of 24 majors he shares with Australian Hall of Famer Margaret Court. After Djokovic lost in the semifinals at all four majors last year, he’s back in a Grand Slam final for the first time since 2024 at Wimbledon.
Against Sinner, Djokovic struck 46 winners to 42 unforced errors and converted three of eight break points. By comparison, the 24-year-old South Tyrolean hit a whopping 72 winners and also made 42 unforced errors. However, Sinner was able to only convert two of 18 unforced errors. The two combined to play a total of 292 points, with Sinner outpointing Djokovic 152-140.
All class from @janniksin#AO26 pic.twitter.com/iHhzBs8Wvl
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 30, 2026
Djokovic has been stuck on 24 career Grand Slam titles won since garnering the 2023 US Open. After advancing to the final following a walkover and a retirement, then coming from behind to triumph over Sinner, a win on Sunday against World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz of Spain – who set an Australian Open record for longest men’s singles semifinal (five hours and 27 minutes) in his five-set victory over World No. 3 Alexander Zverev of Germany – would put Djokovic above all the rest. He would also become the oldest player in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam men’s singles title, ahead of Aussie Ken Rosewall, who won the AO title in 1972 at age 37.
As Djokovic chases after his 11th AO crown and extend his all-time record for most Australian Open titles, he is unbeaten in 10 previous appearances in the Australian Open final. As close to a sure thing that exists in tennis.
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In defeating Sinner, who came into Friday evening’s semifinal encounter having won 19 straight matches at Melbourne Park, Djokovic finally beat one nemesis, who has been an obstacle – along with Alcaraz – in reaching career major title No. 25.
“There’s always, for me, also for Carlos because of his age and everything he’s achieved, history is on the line for both of us,” Djokovic said during his post-match news conference that took place just before 3 a.m. Saturday. “Finals of a Grand Slam. There’s a lot at stake.”
Meanwhile, Alcaraz will be chasing some history of his own Sunday night against Djokovic. If he should beat the Serbian superstar, Alcaraz would become the youngest man at age 22 to complete a career Grand Slam.
After Alcaraz won his epic semifinal over Zverev, he admitted afterward in press that he was struggling. However, he kept “believing, believing, all the time.
“I knew what I had to do. I had to put my heart into the match. I think I did it.”
Bring on Sunday pic.twitter.com/3aO7kIcEsr
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 30, 2026
Friday’s Australian Open results
Saturday’s Australian Open order of play
By the numbers
• When No. 1 seed Carlos Alcaraz and No. 4 seed Novak Djokovic walk out on Rod Laver Arena Sunday evening, Djokovic will own a 5-4 career head-to-head lead, including a win over Alcaraz in the quarterfinals last year in Melbourne.
Alcaraz and Djokovic will be playing for a champion’s purse of $4.15 million (AUD). The runner-up will collect $2.15 million (AUD). The total prize fund for the men’s singles at this year’s Australian Open topped out at $37,684,000 (AUD).
• Regardless of the title final outcome between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz will remain as the World No. 1 when the new PIF ATP Rankings are published on Monday, while Djokovic will rise to No. 3 win or lose. Jannik Sinner will remain No. 2, while Alexander Zverev will drop one spot to No. 4.
The remainder of the projected ATP Top 10: No. 5 Lorenzo Musetti, No. 6 Alex de Minaur, No. 7 Taylor Fritz, No. 8 Felix Auger-Aliassime, No. 9 Ben Shelton, No. 10 Alexander Bublik.
“Quotable …”
“I never stopped doubting. I never stopped believing in myself. There’s a lot of people that doubted me … a lot of experts all of a sudden that wanted to retire me.
“I want to thank them all because they gave me strength. They gave me motivation to prove them wrong, which I have tonight.”
– Novak Djokovic of Serbia, during his post-match news conference, after defeating two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner of Italy early Saturday.
