Tennis legend John McEnroe has praised Novak Djokovic for his sportsmanlike reaction following his defeat in the US Open semi-final. The 38-year-old suffered a straight-sets loss of 6-4, 7-6, 6-2 against Carlos Alcaraz on Friday.
Throughout this year’s four grand slams, Djokovic has faced setbacks in the semi-finals as he pursues his 25th major title. Despite already holding the men’s record for major championships, securing another victory would distinguish him from the Open Era record shared with Margaret Court.
Since his last US Open triumph two years ago, Djokovic has not clinched a grand slam title, coinciding with the rise of Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. McEnroe commended Djokovic’s behavior following Alcaraz’s advancement to the US Open final.
Reflecting on Djokovic’s defeat, McEnroe mentioned Djokovic’s graciousness in accepting losses and giving credit to his opponents. Djokovic himself acknowledged the exceptional talent of Alcaraz and Sinner, stating that if he had to lose to anyone, it would be to them.
Alcaraz, who had previously faced defeats against Djokovic, showcased his prowess by reaching the US Open final where he will compete against world number one Sinner. Djokovic acknowledged the superior performance of the rising stars in the sport and expressed his challenges in maintaining the same level of play in the later stages of grand slams.
Despite the physical demands of the US Open and the emerging competition, Djokovic remains determined to continue competing and striving for more titles. While facing formidable opponents like Alcaraz and Sinner, Djokovic aims to persevere and contend for championship victories.
