Tennis legend John McEnroe praised Novak Djokovic for his sportsmanlike response after losing in the US Open semi-final to Carlos Alcaraz in a straight-sets defeat. Djokovic, aiming for his 25th major title, faced setbacks in all four Grand Slam semi-finals this year. Despite already holding the men’s record for major championships, a win in this tournament would have set him apart from the Open Era record he shares with Margaret Court.
Since his last US Open victory two years ago, Djokovic has faced tough competition from rising stars like Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. McEnroe commended Djokovic’s behavior after Alcaraz secured a spot in the US Open final, highlighting his grace in defeat.
Although Alcaraz had previously lost to Djokovic at the Australian Open and the 2024 Olympics, the Spaniard had defeated Djokovic in consecutive Wimbledon finals. Djokovic acknowledged the skill of his opponents, stating that losing to them was acceptable given their current superiority in the game.
McEnroe, drawing comparisons between Alcaraz and tennis greats, speculated on Djokovic’s future in the sport. Djokovic, reflecting on his recent performances against Alcaraz and Sinner, admitted that he struggled to keep up with their level of play in the Grand Slam tournaments.
Despite the physical challenges and tough competition, Djokovic expressed his determination to continue fighting and aiming for more titles. As Alcaraz prepares to face world No. 1 Sinner in the US Open final, Djokovic acknowledged the difficulty of competing at the highest level but remains committed to pursuing further success in the sport.