Novak Djokovic created history and broke multiple world records after a five-set thriller against Jannik Sinner to reach the final of the 2026 Australian Open. The 24-time Grand Slam champion will play in his first major summit clash since the 2024 Wimbledon
Photo : AP
Novak Djokovic pulled off one of the greatest performances of his career to reach his first major final since the 2024 Wimbledon after beating the double-defending champion Jannik Sinner at the Rod Laver Arena in a dramatic five-set thriller during the 2026 Australian Open semi-final in a match that lasted over four hours and nine minutes by a margin of 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
The Serbian extended his record and played a 38th Grand Slam final, which is the most by any player. He will aim to win a 25th Grand Slam title against Carlos Alcaraz, which will make him the most decorated singles player in tennis history (men or women). The Serbian will play a 11th Australian Open final and won on all 10 occasions in the past.
Novak Djokovic Creates History
Djokovic first played a Grand Slam final at the 2007 US Open against Roger Federer and nearly 19 years later will face Alcaraz at Melbourne Park. The gap of 6,270 days is the longest between a player’s first and latest appearance in the men’s singles summit clash of a Major event. The feat previously belonged to Roger Federer. Before this, the Serbian’s last appearance in a Grand Slam final was in the 2023 US Open.
Djokovic has also broken a 54-year-old record of Ken Rosewall and become the oldest player to reach the final of the Australian Open’s Men’s Singles tournament. The Serbian is the first male player to play the summit clash of the year’s first major title. In the hard-court era, the next best is Roger Federer.