{"id":440351,"date":"2026-01-29T07:23:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T07:23:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/440351\/"},"modified":"2026-01-29T07:23:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T07:23:09","slug":"novak-djokovic-confronts-reporter-over-chasing-rivals-at-australian-open","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/440351\/","title":{"rendered":"Novak Djokovic confronts reporter over ‘chasing’ rivals at Australian Open"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Novak Djokovic sparred with a reporter after his Australian Open<\/a> win that sent him to the semifinals after the journalist’s suggestion that the 24-time Grand Slam champion has spent his career “chasing” his rivals.<\/p>\n

Djokovic, 38, defeated fifth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti in the quarterfinals Wednesday to set up a semifinal matchup against two-time winner Jannik Sinner.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Novak <\/p>\n

Novak Djokovic gestures during a news conference ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 17, 2026. (AP Photo\/Aaron Favila)<\/p>\n

Despite owning a record 24 Grand Slam<\/a> titles, including a record 10 at the Australian Open, Djokovic was asked during his post-match news conference how it felt to be “chasing” Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal early in his career and now “chasing” Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in the latter stages.<\/p>\n

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“I\u2019m chasing Jannik and Carlos? In which sense?” he interrupted. “So, I\u2019m always the chaser and never being chased?”<\/p>\n

The reporter then conceded, “In the meantime, you won 24 Grand Slams,” to which Djokovic responded with a smile, “Thanks, it’s worth saying that sometimes. Right?”\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Serbian tennis star allowed the reporter to finish his question before making his position clear.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Novak <\/p>\n

Novak Djokovic reacts after defeating Botic van de Zandschulp in their third-round match at the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 24, 2026. (AP Photo\/Dita Alangkara)<\/p>\n

LEARNER TIEN SHUTS DOWN TRUMP QUESTION AT AUSTRALIAN OPEN AMID POLITICAL GRILLING OF AMERICAN PLAYERS<\/a><\/p>\n

“Well, I find it a little bit disrespectful that you kind of miss out on what happened in between the times when I started \u2018chasing,\u2019 as you say, Rafa and Roger and now that I\u2019m chasing Carlos and Jannik. There\u2019s probably about a 15-year period in between where I was dominating the Grand Slams.”<\/p>\n

Djokovic admitted that despite not feeling like he\u2019s “chasing” anyone, Alcaraz and Sinner are “better right now” than almost everyone. But that is good for the game, according to Djokovic.<\/p>\n

“You’re going to have another two superstars that are going to maybe have a third guy that I’m going to cheer for because I’ve always been the ‘third guy’ at the beginning. It’s good for our sport. I think these kinds of rivalries and the contrast of personalities and the styles of play are very good for tennis. And how is that affecting me? I don’t feel like I’m chasing. I’m creating my own history.”<\/p>\n

\"Jannik <\/p>\n

Jannik Sinner celebrates his victory in the men’s singles third round of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park Jan. 24, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia.\u00a0 (Hannah Peters\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

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Djokovic is chasing a historic 25th Grand Slam title when he faces Sinner in the semifinals<\/a> Thursday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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