Tennis legend John McEnroe commended Novak Djokovic for his graceful reaction after losing in the US Open semi-finals to Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic, who is 38 years old, was defeated in straight sets 6-4, 7-6, 6-2 on Friday.
This year, Djokovic faced setbacks in the semi-finals of all four major tournaments while pursuing his 25th Grand Slam title. Despite already holding the men’s record for major championships, securing another victory would distinguish him from the Open Era record shared with Margaret Court.
Since his last US Open win two years ago, Djokovic has not clinched a Grand Slam title, coinciding with the rise of Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. McEnroe emphasized Djokovic’s sportsmanship following Alcaraz’s advancement to the US Open final.
McEnroe praised Djokovic’s sportsmanship, stating that despite his rare losses, Djokovic always shows respect to his opponents. Djokovic acknowledged the talent of Alcaraz and Sinner, admitting that if he had to lose to anyone, it would be to them, recognizing their current superiority.
The match against Alcaraz showcased Djokovic’s skill, but he struggled to keep up with the young player after the second set. McEnroe, who likened Alcaraz to tennis greats, speculated on Djokovic’s potential retirement.
Alcaraz is set to face world No. 1 Sinner in the US Open final, making history as the first men’s duo to meet in three out of four Grand Slam finals in a single season. Djokovic reflected on his recent losses in the semi-finals and acknowledged the high level at which Alcaraz and Sinner are playing.
Djokovic admitted to grappling with the physical demands of the US Open and anticipates ongoing challenges as he approaches the twilight of his career. Despite the formidable competition posed by Alcaraz and Sinner, the 24-time Grand Slam winner remains determined to continue fighting for more titles.
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