Novak Djokovic stunned Jannik Sinner in an all-time classic on semifinal day at the Australian Open.
After Carlos Alcaraz beat Alexander Zverev in a five-hour, 27-minute thriller on Rod Laver Arena, Djokovic and Sinner served up another five-setter for the fans to enjoy.
Alcaraz will now prepare to take on Djokovic in the Australian Open final, with history on the line for both players.
The Spaniard is looking to become the youngest Career Grand Slam winner, while Djokovic aims to become the first player to win 25 major titles.
Who will win the Australian Open men’s singles final?
On first thought, you’d think Alcaraz would be glad to see Djokovic in the final, having beaten him in their previous two Grand Slam championship matches (2023 Wimbledon, 2024 Wimbledon).
However, it has now been suggested why Alcaraz may have preferred not to take on the legendary Serb in the 2026 Australian Open final.
Jon Wertheim suspects Carlos Alcaraz was ‘rooting’ for Jannik Sinner to beat Novak Djokovic
Asked on X if he believes Djokovic can beat Alcaraz in the final, Jon Wertheim shared the following response.
“I do…” said Wertheim.
“This has Paris Olympics vibes, no?
“And, note the [Carlos] Alcaraz head-to-head, including the 2025 Australian Open.”
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic’s head-to-head record (Alcaraz 4-5 Djokovic)
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2025 US Open – SF | Carlos Alcaraz | Novak Djokovic | 6-4, 7-6, 6-2 |
| 2025 Australian Open – QF | Novak Djokovic | Carlos Alcaraz | 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 |
| 2024 Olympics – F | Novak Djokovic | Carlos Alcaraz | 7-6, 7-6 |
| 2024 Wimbledon – F | Carlos Alcaraz | Novak Djokovic | 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 |
| 2023 ATP Finals – SF | Novak Djokovic | Carlos Alcaraz | 6-3, 6-2 |
| 2023 Cincinnati Open – F | Novak Djokovic | Carlos Alcaraz | 5-7, 7-6, 7-6 |
| 2023 Wimbledon – F | Carlos Alcaraz | Novak Djokovic | 1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 |
| 2023 French Open – SF | Novak Djokovic | Carlos Alcaraz | 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 |
| 2022 Madrid Open – SF | Carlos Alcaraz | Novak Djokovic | 6-7, 7-5, 7-6 |
Djokovic leads Alcaraz 5-4 in their head-to-head, and won their sole previous encounter at the Australian Open 12 months ago.
Wertheim thinks Alcaraz is wary of that record, and therefore believes he may have preferred to face Sinner in the final.
“In a weird way, I suspect Alcaraz might have been rooting for [Jannik] Sinner last night,” he said.
“Carlos Alcaraz is still the favorite. Novak Djokovic is still crowding 39… But neither outcome would surprise me.”
While Alcaraz and Sinner’s rivalry is tightly contested, it is the Spaniard who leads their head-to-head, 10-6.
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s head-to-head record (Alcaraz 10-6 Sinner)
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2025 ATP Finals – F | Jannik Sinner | Carlos Alcaraz | 7-6, 7-5 |
| 2025 US Open – F | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 |
| 2025 Cincinnati Open – F | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | 5-0 (RET) |
| 2025 Wimbledon – F | Jannik Sinner | Carlos Alcaraz | 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 |
| 2025 French Open – F | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6 |
| 2025 Italian Open – F | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | 7-6, 6-1 |
| 2024 China Open – F | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | 6-7, 6-4, 7-6 |
| 2024 French Open – SF | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | 2-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 |
| 2024 Indian Wells – SF | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 |
| 2023 China Open – SF | Jannik Sinner | Carlos Alcaraz | 7-6, 6-1 |
| 2023 Miami Open – SF | Jannik Sinner | Carlos Alcaraz | 6-7, 6-4, 6-2 |
| 2023 Indian Wells – SF | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | 7-6, 6-3 |
| 2022 US Open – QF | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | 6-3, 6-7, 6-7, 7-5, 6-3 |
| 2022 Croatia Open – F | Jannik Sinner | Carlos Alcaraz | 6-7, 6-1, 6-1 |
| 2022 Wimbledon – 4R | Jannik Sinner | Carlos Alcaraz | 6-1, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 |
| 2021 Paris Masters – 2R | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | 7-6, 7-5 |
Alcaraz defeated Sinner in two of the three Grand Slam finals they played last year, and may have felt confident of extending that winning record.
It doesn’t matter who he wanted to play, though, as his opponent has now been confirmed, and he has a job to do.
What must Carlos Alcaraz do to beat Novak Djokovic?
To put it simply, he must play well.
That sounds obvious, but it’s true.
Alcaraz at 100%, playing his best tennis, will likely be too much for a 38-year-old Djokovic, still recovering from his semifinal win.
Anything less than 100%, though, and Djokovic will be in with a great chance of winning Grand Slam title number 25.
The Serb played his best match in years against Sinner in the semis, and if he can find that level against Alcaraz in the final, who knows what could happen.
Alcaraz will play Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open men’s singles final on Sunday, February 1.
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