Tennis legend John McEnroe praised Novak Djokovic’s sportsmanlike response after his defeat in the US Open semi-final. The 38-year-old was convincingly beaten by Carlos Alcaraz in three straight sets 6-4, 7-6, 6-2 last Friday.
Djokovic faced setbacks in the semi-finals of all four major tournaments this year while chasing his 25th major title. Although Djokovic already holds the men’s record for major wins, securing another victory would elevate him above the Open Era record he currently shares with Margaret Court.
Since his last US Open triumph two years ago, Djokovic has not clinched a major title, coinciding with the rise of Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. McEnroe commended Djokovic for his behavior following Alcaraz’s qualification for the US Open final.
Speaking on ESPN, McEnroe highlighted Djokovic’s sportsmanship, acknowledging his defeat graciously. Despite losing, Djokovic expressed respect for both Alcaraz and Sinner, recognizing their superior performance.
Alcaraz had previously suffered defeats against Djokovic at this year’s Australian Open and the 2024 Olympics, but had secured back-to-back Wimbledon victories against his rival. Djokovic acknowledged his difficulty in keeping up with the emerging talents of Alcaraz and Sinner.
Looking ahead, Djokovic’s future in the sport remains uncertain. McEnroe speculated on the possibility of Djokovic retiring but also considered the likelihood of him continuing for another year. Djokovic faced tough competition from Alcaraz and Sinner, who have dominated recent tournaments.
Alcaraz is set to face world No. 1 Sinner in the US Open final, marking a historic showdown between the two rising stars. Djokovic admitted to struggling physically in the tournament and acknowledged the challenge of competing against the new generation of players.
Despite the tough competition, Djokovic remains determined to continue fighting for titles, albeit recognizing the formidable task ahead.