Djokovic vows to stay in Grand Slams after US Open loss to Alcaraz

When Novak Djokovic, Serbian fell to Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals of the 2025 US OpenUSTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, the tennis world heard a rare admission: the 38‑year‑old Serbian legend isn’t sure he can keep winning the sport’s biggest titles, yet he’s not quitting the Grand Slam chase.

Season Overview and Milestones

The 2025 calendar was a paradox for Djokovic. After kicking off the year at the Brisbane International on December 31, 2024, he amassed a historic collection of records while still stumbling at the final hurdle of every major.

• Won his 100th ATP title, joining Roger Federer and Jimmy Connors as the only players with a century of tour victories.
• Set a new Open Era milestone with at least 95 wins at each Grand Slam.
• Extended his career hard‑court major wins record to 194, surpassing Federer’s 191.
• Recorded his 416th ATP Masters 1000 win, eclipsing Rafael Nadal’s previous mark.

He also became the oldest competitor – 38 years, 103 days – to reach the semifinals of all four majors in a single season, a testament to durability if not dominance.

US Open 2025 Semifinal: Djokovic vs. Alcaraz

The path to the New York showdown began with a straight‑sets win over 19‑year‑old American prodigy Learner Tien, ranked No. 68. From there, the draw promised a potential clash with Taylor Fritz or Holger Rune, but a surprise quarter‑final run by Canadian Ben Shelton set the stage for a semifinal against Alcaraz.

In the match, Alcaraz’s relentless baseline aggression and superior footwork proved too much. Djokovic slipped two early breaks, struggled to find his second‑serve rhythm, and eventually bowed out in four sets. After the loss, he told reporters, “(That’s) not to say I’m going to skip Grand Slams. I still want to play Grand Slams, a full Grand Slam season next year. Let’s see if that’s going to happen or not.” He added, “I do fancy my chance a bit more best‑of‑3, I guess one‑week tournaments or masters tournaments where you have quite a few days between matches.”

The Rise of the Younger Guard: Alcaraz and Sinner

Since Djokovic’s 2023 US Open triumph, the men’s tour has been dominated by the Spanish teen Carlos Alcaraz and the Italian wunderkind Jannik Sinner. Between them, they have claimed seven consecutive majors, a streak that underscores a generational shift.

Alcaraz, now 22, captured his second US Open title last year and entered the 2025 tournament as the top seed. Sinner, 23, entered the New York draw on a five‑set win streak and was the favorite to meet Alcaraz in the final before falling to Felix Auger‑Aliassime in the championship match.

Analysts from the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) note that the younger pair’s style—high‑intensity rallies, superior recovery, and aggressive court positioning—creates a physical demand that challenges veterans like Djokovic, especially in five‑set formats.

Djokovic's Record‑Breaking Achievements in 2025

Even without a major title, Djokovic’s statistical haul is staggering. He extended his Grand Slam quarter‑final streak from 60 to 64 and his semifinal count from 49 to 53. His career Grand Slam match wins jumped from 377 to 397, while his tally of top‑10 wins climbed to 262.

Beyond numbers, his 100th ATP title carries symbolic weight. Winning at the age of 38 makes him the first player to claim a tour title in 20 consecutive years, a feat that no one in the Open Era has matched. The achievement was highlighted during the trophy ceremony at the Melbourne Park for the Australian Open earlier this season.

These milestones, however, sit atop a pile of near‑misses. Djokovic reached every major semifinal but fell short of a final for the first time since 2017—a year when he was still winning majors regularly.

Future Outlook: What Lies Ahead for the Serbian Legend

Looking ahead, Djokovic’s roadmap hinges on balancing ambition with realism. He hinted that a “full Grand Slam season” next year is his goal, yet he also expressed a preference for shorter best‑of‑three formats, which could reduce the physical toll of five‑set battles.

The 2026 calendar will likely see him focus on the early hard‑court swing—Australian Open, Indian Wells, and Miami—before the grueling clay and grass seasons. Meanwhile, the ATP is experimenting with schedule tweaks that might give older players more recovery days between matches, a change that could play into Djokovic’s favor.

Fans and commentators remain divided. Some argue that his relentless pursuit of a 25th major could inspire a final surge, while others see the younger trio’s dominance as a signal that the era of the ‘Big Three’ is winding down.

Whatever the outcome, one thing is clear: Djokovic’s legacy is already cemented, and his next chapters will be watched with the same intensity that greeted his debut on the pro tour.

Key Facts

• Date of semifinal loss: September 6, 2025.
• Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York City.
• Opponent: Carlos Alcaraz (Spain).
• Djokovic’s 2025 record: 100 ATP titles, 416 Masters 1000 wins, 194 hard‑court major wins.
• Young guard’s streak: Alcaraz and Sinner have won the last seven Grand Slam titles.