Record-breaking Novak Djokovic admits his rival, Taylor Fritz, played better than him during chunks of their quarterfinal match at the US Open, which the Serbian won in four sets.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion rallied his way to a 6-4, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 win over the last American man remaining in the men’s draw. Fritz, who is now 0-11 against Djokovic in their head-to-head, was unable to capitalize on his opportunities, failing to convert his first 10 break point opportunities and only converting two out of 13 chances overall. His first serve win rate also fell from 89% in the first set to 63% in the fourth.
As for age-defying Djokovic, he is through to his fourth consecutive Grand Slam semi-final and his 53rd overall. He is the oldest man in the Open Era to reach the last four of every major within the same season and is the fourth player to have claimed nine wins over top-five players at the US Open since 1973.
“He was the better player in the second and third set,” Djokovic reflected on his match with Fritz. “I thought, for my standards, that I wasn’t playing well. I don’t know. I didn’t feel the ball as well as I did feel the ball in the third round.
“It’s one of those days where you just have to grind, you know. You just have to play with your heart and fight. That’s what really gave me the win in the end.”
Djokovic is aware he will have to up his level even more heading into his next clash with Carlos Alcaraz, who brushed aside Jiri Lehecka 6-4, 6-2, 6-4. This will be their third meeting at a major within the past two years. Alcaraz triumphed in the 2024 Wimbledon final before Djokovic got his revenge earlier this year at the Australian Open.
“The next couple of days are really key for me to really get my body in shape and ready to battle five sets if it’s needed,” said Djokovic.
“I would love to be fit enough to play potentially five sets with Carlos. I know that my best tennis is going to be required but I’d rise to the occasion.
“I like to play the big matches on a big stage. It’s just that I’m not really sure how the body is going to feel in the next few days.”
Throughout his time in New York this year, the former world No.1 has shown signs of wear and tear. In his third round clash against Cameron Norrie, Djokovic was troubled by a lower-back issue. Then, in his clash with Jan-Lennard Struff, he received treatment on his neck and right forearm.
Earlier this year, Djokovic admitted at Wimbledon that he reached the semi-final stage feeling ‘half-empty’ before losing in straight sets to Jannik Sinner. Will he have a similar feeling heading into his latest clash with Alcaraz?
“Let’s see in two days’ time. Good thing about the schedule is now that I have two days without a match, so that helps a lot,” he replied when asked.
“I don’t feel very fresh at the moment, but hopefully in two days it will be different.”
Alcaraz and Sinner currently have a monopoly in the Grand Slam’s, winning the past seven tournaments between them. The two also have the extra motivation of the No.1 ranking, which the Spaniard could clinch from Sinner if he performs one round better.
Nevertheless, a determined Djokovic has vowed to give it his all.
“They are playing definitely the best tennis of any player here. They have been [the] dominant force since the beginning of the tournament,” he said of the duo.
“But I definitely am not going with a white flag on the court. I don’t think anybody does really when they play them, but particularly not me.
“I put myself in another semi-finals of a Grand Slam this year. I have been very consistent, most consistent on Slams this season, and that’s what I said at the beginning of the year, where I would like to perform my best tennis and make the best results.
“Here we are. I have another chance, another shot. Hopefully I can be fit enough and play well enough to keep up with Carlos. Then it can be anybody’s match.”
The semi-final match will take place on Friday.
