WATCH: Novak Djokovic congratualtes Carlos Alcaraz after record-breaking Australian Open 2026 semifinal win
(Courtesy :Â @AustralianOpen/Twitter)
Alcaraz beat Zverev in a thrilling five setter battle.
Novak Djokovic showcased exemplary sportsmanship by personally congratulating Carlos Alcaraz moments after the Spaniard’s epic semifinal victory at the Australian Open 2026.
The gesture, captured in a viral video shared by the tournament’s official channels, highlighted the mutual respect between two of tennis’s biggest stars.
On January 30, 2026, Alcaraz, the World No. 1, battled through visible discomfort, likely cramps or a thigh issue to outlast Alexander Zverev 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5 in a grueling 5-hour, 27-minute marathon. This became the longest semifinal in Australian Open history and the third-longest match ever at Melbourne Park.
After leading by two sets, Alcaraz faltered mid-third set, requiring a medical timeout and multiple massages on his upper right leg.
Zverev fought back fiercely, winning the next two sets in tiebreaks and breaking early in the fifth. Yet Alcaraz rallied, breaking Zverev when the German served for the match at 5-4, then holding and sealing victory on match point.
Exhausted but elated, Alcaraz cooled down in the players’ area, pedaling on a stationary bike when Djokovic approached.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion, preparing for his own delayed semifinal against two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner, shook hands with Alcaraz’s team before exchanging words and patting the 22-year-old on the shoulder.
Also Read: Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz head-to-head record, last five meetings
This touching moment underscored the camaraderie amid intense rivalry. Djokovic, a 10-time Melbourne winner chasing a record 25th major, is set to battle against Jannik Sinner, with his match delayed by nearly 90 minutes due to Alcaraz’s epic.
Alcaraz, now in his maiden Australian Open final, stands one win from completing the career Grand Slam, the youngest in the Open Era to do so if victorious and also became the youngest to reach finals at all four majors consecutively, surpassing Jannik Sinner’s record.
What was Novak Djokovic’s reaction to Alcaraz’s win over Zverev?
Djokovic personally congratulated Carlos Alcaraz after his marathon semifinal win, shaking hands with his team and praising him in a gesture of sportsmanship.
How long did the Alcaraz vs Zverev match last?
The match lasted 5 hours and 27 minutes, making it the longest semifinal in Australian Open history and the third-longest match ever at Melbourne Park.
What was the final score of the match?
Alcaraz defeated Zverev 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5 in five sets.
What did this win mean for Alcaraz?
The victory sent Alcaraz into his first Australian Open final and put him one win away from completing a career Grand Slam as the youngest in the Open Era.
For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram
Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.