Carlos Alcaraz breaks silence on romance links
Carlos Alcaraz has addressed rumours that he is dating DJ Peddy Gou, who is 12 years older than the Australian Open finalist.
South Korean musician Gou has been spotted in Alcaraz’s player box on several occasions, prompting speculation that they might be an item.
However, Alcaraz confirmed: “She’s a friend and she’s really great. I’m glad she’s here. I’ve received tremendous support from her. She’s fantastic.”
Taylor Fritz ‘doesn’t care’ about final
World No. 9 Taylor Fritz admitted he does not care about who wins the Australian Open between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz.
The victor will either be a 25-time Major winner or the youngest man to complete the Career Slam in history.
But Fritz, who lost in the fourth round to Lorenzo Musetti, is not interested in the match.
He said: “I’m cheering for myself to have a great day. I don’t care who wins.”
Djokovic vs Alcaraz H2H record
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz are set for their 10th tour-level match at the Australian Open final.
Perhaps surprisingly, Djokovic leads the head-to-head battle, having won five of their nine meetings.
He’ll be hoping to extend that to six on Sunday!
The two have faced each other nine times (Image: Getty)
Novak Djokovic gets unanimous verdict
Predictions are rolling in and those over at ESPN are convinced that Novak Djokovic will lift his 25th Grand Slam title tomorrow…
Their three experts all backed Djokovic over Carlos Alcaraz.
D’Arcy Maine: Djokovic in four sets.
Jake Michaels: Djokovic in five sets.
Jarryd Barca: Djokovic in five sets
Novak Djokovic has been backed to win tomorrow. (Image: Getty)
Nick Kyrgios demands Novak Djokovic apology
Nick Kyrgios has demanded an apology after Novak Djokovic defied the odds to beat Jannik Sinner and reach the Australian Open final.
The Aussie took to Instagram to remind his followers that he never wrote Djokovic off, when others felt that age had caught up to the 38-year-old.
Kyrgios wrote on his story, alongside a picture of Djokovic: “Your apology should be as loud as your disrespect was.”
WATCH: Elena Rybakina shows off latest Grand Slam trophy
The recently-crowned Australian Open winner had a big smile on her face and rightly so.
Elena Rybakina to fight for world No. 1
American tennis icon Andy Roddick believes that Elena Rybakina will be in contention for the world No. 1 spot in 2026.
She got off to the perfect start, beating current top-spot holder Aryna Sabalenka in the Australian Open, and moving up to No. 3 this year.
“My point was that the conversation, rightfully so, has been Sabalenka and [Iga] Swiatek as the most consistent over the last three years, with Coco [Gauff] in that mix as well,” Roddick said on the Served podcast.
“But I’ve always viewed Rybakina, when healthy and settled, as easily part of that group.”
Elena Rybakina posing with her title. (Image: Getty)
Elena Rybakina incredible record
Elena Rybakina has won her last 10 matches against players ranked inside the WTA Tour top 10.
It is a run stretching back to October, where she was defeated by Aryna Sabalenka in Wuhan.
The Australian Open champion got her revenge over Sabalenka in Melbourne, but also against the world No. 1 in the WTA Finals final.
She also beat Iga Swiatek twice, Jessica Pegula twice and Ekaterina Alexandrova twice in addition to wins over Jasmine Paolini and Amanda Anisimova in recent months.
Novak Djokovic meets superfan
Novak Djokovic made a fan’s day at the Australian Open, after she had already chatted with Carlos Alcaraz earlier in the week.
Imogen, a 12-year-old who was previously diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia when she was eight, was asked if she would rather take $500 or a ‘mystery tennis ball’.
She chose the latter, being rewarded with a meeting with Alcaraz and Djokovic!
She met with Djokovic after getting tickets to his match, making her day as she spoke to both of tomorrow’s finalists.
Who Nadal is supporting in men’s final
Rafael Nadal says he’ll be supporting his fellow Spaniard, Carlos Alcaraz, instead of Novak Djokovic tomorrow despite the Serb’s bid for history.
Djokovic is looking to become the first tennis player in history, male or female, to win 25 Grand Slam singles titles.
And Nadal will be at Rod Laver Arena to watch the action unfold…
“Honestly, I have mixed feelings because my history with Novak is spectacular. We competed at the highest level for many years, and I wish him all the best. Honestly, if he wins, I’ll be very happy for him.”
“But on the other hand, Carlos is my compatriot, and we’ve shared important moments at the Olympic Games, so I have to support him. In any case, there won’t be any drama for me no matter what happens.”
Rafael Nadal is in Australia (Image: Getty)
Carlos Alcaraz could have ‘problem’ in Australian Open final
John McEnroe has warned that Carlos Alcaraz could have a ‘problem’ in the final of the Australian Open.
Speaking on ESPN’s coverage, he said: “You know, I thought he had great chances the last couple of years.
“I think Djokovic got in his head when he had that injury last year, and his level dropped off. Zverev, who he lost to a couple of years ago, served out of a tree.
“So he’s been sort of getting closer and closer. We’ve watched him play at all the other majors, and it wasn’t a matter of if; it was a matter of when he was going to get here, but he really did it the hard way.”
Carlos Alcaraz plays Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final (Image: Getty)
Elena Rybakina’s celebration plans
Elena Rybakina won’t be partying long into the night in Melbourne – because she’s flying back home tomorrow.
The Kazakh, who lives in Dubai, said: “Well, I think we will not have so much time, unfortunately, here in Melbourne.
“We are leaving already tomorrow night, but I definitely want to celebrate with my team and then hopefully get to celebrate with my family.
“I mean, we will see, but of course, I want to see something in Melbourne this time, and hopefully, yeah, we do something fun, but it’s, again, how much time I will have.”
Elena Rybakina isn’t planning to party into the night (Image: Getty)
Sabalenka ‘doesn’t want to think about tennis’
Aryna Sabalenka admits she needs some time away from tennis briefly following her devastating defeat to Elena Rybakina today.
The world No.1 is now 4-4 in Grand Slam finals having lost in the final match of the Australian Open in successive years.
Asked her goals for the rest of her career, Sabalenka replied:Right now? I don’t want to think about tennis, but ambitions are still the same.
“Keep fighting, keep working hard, keep putting myself out there, and try my best if I’ll have another chance in the final. Just go out there and do my best.
“Then just try the same, you know? Try to see how many of them I can get.”
And she admits having regrets after losing: “Maybe I should have tried to be more aggressive on my serve, knowing that I have a break and put pressure on her, but she played incredible.
“She made some winners. I made couple of unforced errors. Of course, I have regrets. You know, when you lead 3-Love and then it felt like in few seconds it was 3-4, and I was down with a break. So it was very fast.
“Great tennis from her. Maybe not so smart for me, but as I say, today I’m a loser, maybe tomorrow I’m a winner, maybe again a loser. Hopefully not. Let’s see.”
Aryna Sabalenka tells team ‘f*** you’
Aryna Sabalenka told members of her team ‘f*** you’ in an amusing moment during her post-match press conference.
The Belarusian admitted her team would be steering clear of her after her defeat, saying: “I think overall I played great tennis here in Australia. Even in this final I feel like I played great. I was fighting. I did my best, and today she was a better player.
“So I don’t know. We’ll speak with the team. Now they try to avoid and escape me because they see that it’s not really healthy to be around me right now (laughter).”
Asked when she would debrief with her team, she turned to them and said: “When? Today? Oh, f*** you, no (laughter). Maybe in a week (laughter).
“Or maybe in few days. Whenever I feel like, okay, I can move on from this one (laughter).”
Aryna Sabalenka was full of laughter in her press conference (Image: Getty)
Novak Djokovic skips training
Novak Djokovic opted not to hit the practice courts on Saturday after a very late night on Friday.
After beating Jannik Sinner in a five-set epic, Djokovic only got to bed around 6am following his post-match treatment and media duties.
And so the Serb decided on a day of rest rather than practicing ahead of his final against Carlos Alcaraz tomorrow.
He said: “You know, it’s almost 3am. Yeah, let’s see. I cannot make any predictions right now.
“Definitely not going to train tomorrow. Just going to use every hour I possibly can to recover, and hopefully get out on the finals day feeling somewhat refreshed.”
Novak Djokovic opted for a day of rest (Image: Getty)
Aryna Sabalenka reacts
Aryna Sabalenka is hoping for better luck next year after suffering defeat in back-to-back Australian Open finals.
The Belarusian said after losing: “Honestly guys, I’m really speechless right now. I will try not to forget anything.
“I want to start with Elena, I want to congratulate you on the incredible run, incredible tennis. Congrats to your team to, such an incredible achievement.
“Of course, thank you everyone who makes this tournament possible. I love being here, I love playing in front of you, all you guys’ incredible support. I always look forward to come and play in front of you.
“Well, let’s hope next year is going to be a better year for me! I love you guys too!”Thank you to my team for always being there, for enjoying me losing finals! But also sometimes we win them so let’s hope for the best. Let’s hope that next year is definitely going to be ours, right? Thank you everyone, thank you.”
Aryna Sabalenka has lost the Australian Open final in each of the last two years (Image: Getty)
Elena Rybakina reacts
Elena Rybakina showed her class with a nice message to Aryna Sabalenka after winning the Australian Open.
Following her second career Grand Slam triumph after Wimbledon in 2022, Rybakina reacted: “Hard to find the words now, but of course I want to congrats to Aryna for amazing results for a couple of years.
“I know it’s tough but I just hope that we’re going to play many more finals together, and of course congrats to your team for all the improvements, a great job [they’ve] done.
“I want to say thank you of course to you guys for such an incredible atmosphere, it was vital and honestly your support kept us going. And thank you so much to Kazakhstan, I felt the support from that corner a lot.
“Thank you everyone who made this tournament possible, Tennis Australia, Craig of course for making us feel so well here. It’s a really happy slam and I always enjoy coming here and playing in front of you guys.
“And of course I would like to say thank you to my team, without you it wouldn’t be possible, really. We had a lot of things going on and I’m really glad we achieved this result. Thank you to all of you, hopefully we can keep on going strong this year.
“Also I would like to say thank you to the medical team here, always doing a great job. Hope I didn’t forget anyone!
“Actually, I want to say thank you to my sponsors and the president of our tennis federation, thank you always for coming and supporting us. Today we had a few other matches with Kazakhstan players and I’m really proud, and hopefully we can continue doing a great job. Thank you so much everyone, thank you.”
Elena Rybakina gives her winner’s speech after the final (Image: Getty)
Elena Rybakina is the Australian Open champion!
Elena Rybakina is the 2026 Australian Open champion! The Kazakh battled back, winning six of the last seven games to beat world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4 4-6 6-4 – and sealed it with an ace.
This is her second Grand Slam title. Her last came three-and-a-half years ago at Wimbledon. Rybakina had lost to Sabalenka from a set up in the 2023 final here, but banished her demons and came back from an early break down in the decider to beat the two-time former champion.
We’re going to a decider!
Elena Rybakina came seven points from the title when she had a small 0-15 opening with Aryna Sabalenka serving at 4-4 in set two.
But Sabalenka is the world No. 1 for a reason. She raised her intensity at exactly the right time, reeling off eight points in a row to take the second set 6-4, forcing a decider.
Rybakina became tight as she served to stay in it. The Kazakh made two costly mistakes and Sabalenka ripped a winner.
Facing three set points, she missed her first serve and hit a tenative second serve, before Sabalenka forced an error from her racket. It’s 4-6 6-4.
Aryna Sabalenka stuns the crowd
Rod Laver Arena is alive! Aryna Sabalenka finished off a thrilling exchange at the net with a forehand winner to lead 40-15 on her serve in this seventh game of set two – and the crowd went wild.
But the world No. 1 was made to work to get out of the game. She hit a double fault, and Rybakina fired down a winner of her own to get to deuce. Sabalenka held and leads 4-3 in the second.
Elena Rybakina takes the first set
Elena Rybakina is a set away from her second Grand Slam title. The No. 5 seed looks in control as she takes a 6-4 lead. Rybakina saved two break points in the eighth game to move ahead, dazzling the crowd with an ace to save the first.
But she also won the first set 6-4 in the 2023 final here against Aryna Sabalenka, and the world No. 1 found a way to turn things around and claim the trophy.
It’s all still a little subdued in Rod Laver Arena – there have been a few impressive shots but nothing to get them on their feet.
Sabalenka is now taking an off-court bathroom break.
Rybakina takes early lead
After four games, Elena Rybakina has a 3-1 lead. The world No.5 ripped some forehand winners past Aryna Sabalenka in the top seed’s opening service game to nab an immediate break. Sabalenka is struggling on serve, and the Kazakh is out in front after 14 minutes.
The players are here!
Elena Rybakina has stepped out of the tunnel and onto Rod Laver Arena, with Aryna Sabalenka walking out of the second tunnel moments later.
The roof is shut on Rod Laver Arena thanks to the rain – but it only intensifies the noise and atmosphere. Two-time former champion Sabalenka got a slightly better reception, but the fans here also love Rybakina.
They’re now at the net, completing the coin toss with the trophy in between them. No pressure!
Sabalenka eyeing third Melbourne title
This is 2022 Wimbledon winner Rybakina’s second time in the Australian Open final.
She lost to Sabalenka in a three-set showdown in Melbourne in 2023.
Sabalenka has won two of her three previous appearances in the final of this Grand Slam but lost last year to Madison Keys.
Neither of these two finalists have lost a set at this year’s Australian Open so far – but that will have to change today.
Neal Skupski wins maiden Australian Open doubles title
Great Britain’s Neal Skupski won the Australian Open doubles title earlier with partner Christian Harrison. The pair only started playing together at the start of this year, but beat Australian wildcards Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans 7-6 (7-4) 6-4.
Harrison and Skupski lost just one set across six matches during their first Grand Slam as doubles partners. The success is Skupski’s second Grand Slam title, with his maiden win coming with Wesley Koolhof at Wimbledon in 2023.
Neal Skupski and Christian Harrison have found immediate Grand Slam doubles success as partners (Image: Getty)
Hello! Welcome to Express Sport’s penultimate day of Australian Open coverage
It is the women’s singles final day at the Australian Open! Aryna Sabalenka faces Elena Rybakina at Rod Laver Arena three years on from their last meeting in Melbourne.
The current world No. 1 won that final 4–6, 6–3, 6–4 to win her first Grand Slam singles title. She previously won the 2019 US Open and 2021 Australian Open with former doubles partner Elise Mertens.
Rybakina reached her first final since 2023 by beating Jessica Pegula in the semi-finals. However, it is Sabalenka’s eighth in singles, half of which she has won, and her tenth overall, including doubles.
Something has to give today, because both players have reached the final without dropping a single set this year. Both are also out for revenge, Rybakina over Sabalenka for 2023, and Sabalenka to avenge her defeat to Madison Keys last year, which stopped her from winning three consecutive Australian Open titles.
Elena Rybakina lost to Aryna Sabalenka in her only other Grand Slam final, the 2023 Australian Open (Image: Getty)
Djokovic vs Alcaraz head to head
Sunday’s men’s final sees Djokovic come up against Alcaraz in what is a highly anticipated battle.
Of the nine previous meetings between the two, Djokovic leads with five wins compared to Alcaraz’s four.
Alcaraz did however come out as 6-6, 7-6. 6-2 winner the last time the two players met in the semi-final of last year’s US Open semi-final.
The last meeting in the Australian Open in last year’s quarter-final saw Djokovic come out on top, winning in four sets 4-6, 6-4. 6-3. 6-4.
(Image: Getty)
Sabalenka and Rybakina head to head
Ahead of Saturday’s final here’s a look at the head to head record of finalists Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybankina.
The two players have faced each other 14 times, with Sabalenka leading 8-6 on wins.
However, in the last meeting between the two, Rybakina came out as 3-6, 6-7 winner in the WTA finals in Riyadh back in November.
(Image: Getty)
Boris Becker’s reaction to Raducanu
Tennis legend Boris Becker has given a one-word reaction to Emma Raducanu‘s decision to part ways with coach Francisco Roig.
The Brit announced the decision on Thursday, just days before she returns to action in the Transyvania Open on Sunday.
Taking to X, Becker simply wrote ‘Why?’ in reaction to the news.
Alacaraz used the rules to his advantage
Former British number one Greg Rudedski has delivered his verdict on Carlos Alcaraz’s injury time outs during his semi-final win over Alexander Zverev.
During the game, Alcaraz appeared to be cramping when he called for the trainer, something that angered his opponents.
“I think he used them [the rules] to his advantage,” said Rusedski on the Off Court Cuts podcast.
“I think you’ve got to look at the whole situation. We saw him go over to his team, speak in Spanish and basically say, look, I’m feeling ill. I’m feeling unwell. I can’t drink anything. I can’t keep anything down.
“We see him being sick in the towel on two occasions, you know, keeping it very discreetly. And then all of a sudden, you know, he’s cramping out there. There’s no question about it.
“I was listening to the comms. [Jim] Courier was saying there’s no doubt he shouldn’t be getting this extra time, this extra two or three minutes as a medical timeout.
“Zverev was in his right to get super angry. It fired him up. It got him to win the next two sets, push it to a decider. He was leading all the way, but with Carlos, all you have to do is give him an inch and he’ll take a mile.”
Sabalenka’s ultterior motive
Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina will battle for the Australian Open crown – and the bragging rights of being the most in-form player on the women’s tour. World No.1 Sabalenka has now reached seven straight hard-court Major finals, and four in a row at Melbourne Park.
Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has won 19 of her last 20 matches, and beat Sabalenka 6-3 7-6 to win the WTA Finals two months ago. But Sabalenka, 27, won a tough three-setter against Rybakina in the 2023 final here, winning her first Major title.
Arne Slot on Novak Djokovic
Arne Slot has become the latest high profile person in sport to speak of his admiration for Novak Djokovic.
As he was doing his pre-match media ahead of Liverpool‘s Premier League game against Newcastle, the semi-final between Djokovic and Sinner was ongoing.
It prompted Slot to tell TNT Sport:
“You need to have so much respect for a sportsman like him.
“Being on the top level for years is only given to a few, but the amount of years he’s now at the top level…I think he’s played almost every Grand Slam semi-final in the last few years, at his age…with all due respect.
“I, we, are fortunate to be in the era of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi when it comes to football.
“To be in the era of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Djokovic has been a privilege to watch every single time, and that he’s still part of it, that also tells you.
“Earlier in the interview we spoke about Mo [Salah], about what it takes to be every few days at the top level for such a long time, and Djokovic is a great example for that.
“Sometimes in the past I’ve used moments of him, either when he’s talking, or clips of his tennis games in meetings I’ve had with my former clubs.”
Alcaraz’s apology to Djokovic
Novak Djokovic has revealed that he received an apology from Carlos Alcaraz before his Australian Open semi-final win over Jannik Sinner. Djokovic needed five sets to defeat defending champion Sinner in Melbourne to book a place in Sunday’s showpiece match.
Earlier in the day, Alcaraz also needed five sets to beat Alexander Zverev in his semi-final to seal his place in the final against Djokovic. The win for Alcaraz was also the longest semi-final in Australian Open history at five hours and 27 minutes.
Alcaraz’s classy message
Following his epic battle with Alexander Zverev in the Australian Open semi-final earlier today, Carlos Alcaraz has taken to social media to send a message.
Sharing 14 pictures of the match on his Instagram, he wrote: “That was a huge, crazy battle, and incredibly demanding; so many ups and downs! It was one of the toughest matches of my career! Happy to keep believing and to get to the final! Respect to @alexzverev123 for the match, it was a pleasure to share this with you.”
Emma Raducanu fate
Emma Raducanu will be back in action on Sunday as she starts life without former coach Francisco Roig.
The draw for the Transylvania Open first round took place earlier this evening.
Raducanu will take on Belgian Greet Minnen.
The only other meeting between the two saw Raducanu win in straight sets.
(Image: Getty)
Pat Cash response
Immediately after Djokovic’s win over Sinner, former Wimbledon champion gave his response to the match on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra:
“It’s hard to put everything into words,” he said.
“Great serving from Djokovic, it kept him in the match so often.
“Sinner just could not break, his break percentage was ridiculously low for him. Sometimes you have them matches where you can’t break and it plays on your mind.
“Sinner threw everything at him in the fifth set, he came out swinging much harder and it looked like his set. Djokovic hung on and it was like the Djokovic of old.
“We saw it last year here, he beat Alcaraz – will it be the same? Can his body recover? I don’t think that is his concern right now, he is just happy to get to the final.”
Djokovic’s gesture to Alcaraz
Novak Djokovic has already shown his respect towards Carlos Alcaraz, even before he knew he was meeting him in the final.
During the Serbian’s pre-match preparation ahead of his own semi-final against Jannik Sinner, he took time to congratulate Alcaraz for his victory.
In footage, Djokovic can be seen approaching Alcaraz and shaking his hand, as well as patting him on the back with the two sharing a laugh.
The two will come up against each other on Sunday morning as both battle to make history.
Mind turns to recovery
Following the two epic semi-finals, the TNT Sports panel touched on the toll that the long matches could take on the players and the recovery that will be needed before Sunday’s final.
Tim Henman: “Originally when the first semi-final was five-and-a-half hours, well I was sort of thinking well, that’s so fortunate that it’s the first match because they’ve got a little bit of extra time to recover.
“And now you see Djokovic, it’s nearly 2 O’Clock in the morning, by time he’s done press, by the time you’ve interviewed him on the terrace a bit later and we’ve all gone to get some sleep, he’s not getting sleep before 5am?”
Coco Vandeweghe: “Both of these men are going to leave no stone unturned in this situation because they have every opportunity to fins whatever they need to find to get the extra motivation.
“Plus you’re playing for a Grand Slam Championship, we’ve got the two biggest stories going into this final, Djokovic going for 25 and Carlos going for a career Grand Slam, so the meaning behind it, I think both of these men are going to be absolutely stoked.”
Laura Robson: “If there’s two players to give absolutely everything that’s left in the tank, if there’s still is anything left in the tank after Sunday, I think it’s these two, so I think they’re going to be fine.
When are the finals?
The finals of the Australian Open are almost here, we kick off early tomorrow (Saturday) morning, with the Women’s final.
Aryna Sabalenka takes on Elena Rybakina on the Rod Laver Arena with the match starting at 8.30am UK time.
The men’s final between Alcaraz and Djokovic will then take place on Sunday on the Rod Laver Arena, again with it starting at around 8.30am UK time.
Both games will be available to watch live on both TNT Sports and the Discovery+ app.
A pretty special day
So, that’s the Australian Open men’s semi-finals all complete, with two epic matches seeing both Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic make it through to the final on Sunday.
I think this post sums it up pretty well…
Djokovic’s message
Novak Djokovic has taken to social media following his epic win over Jannik Sinner to book his place in the Australian Open final.
After his five-set win, he has shared a picture of him and Sinner at the net, along with a caption reading: “Very difficult…but not impossible.”
Novak Djokovic demands more money
Novak Djokovic has demanded 10 per cent of Australian Open ticket sales after reaching the final.
Following his epic victory over Jannik Sinner, Djokovic made sure to single out Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley with a message that he wants more money for his efforts.
He made sure to thank the “legends” who turned out and stayed until nearly 2am in Melbourne to watch him claim a historic victory.
Novak Djokovic ‘feels as if he’s won title’
Novak Djokovic admitted that this semi-final win feels just as good as claiming the Australian Open title.
The Serb came through a five-set thriller in a rare victory over Jannik Sinner in recent years.
“It feels surreal,” Djokovic said. “Playing almost four hours, coming close to 2am. I’m reminiscing about playing Rafa [Nadal] in 2012.
“The quality of tennis was extremely high and I knew this was the only way to win against him. He won the past five matches against me and I told him at the net thanks for allowing me this. He pushed me to the very limit.
“Tonight has been one of the – if not the best – support for me in Australia. I’m looking forward to seeing Carlos on Sunday, even though it feels as if I’ve won [the title] tonight. I hope I’ll have enough gas to stay toe-to-toe with him.”
Novak Djokovic soaking it all in
Novak Djokovic is getting a standing ovation on Rod Laver Arena, the most successful court of his career.
Aged 38, he’s back in another final here for the first time since 2023. “I’m lost for words right now, to be honest,” he tells the Rod Laver Arena crowd as they chant his name. His closest confidant, Carlos Gomez Herrera, is in tears in his box.
Novak Djokovic takes out Jannik Sinner at 1.30am!
Novak Djokovic is through to a Grand Slam final for the first time in 18 months. Aged 38, he brought Jannik Sinner’s incredible reign at Melbourne Park to an end, beating the 2024 and 2025 champion here 3-6 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-4 at 1.30am local time. He needed four hours and nine minutes to get the job done and dropped to his knees on the court.
The Serbian superstar saved all eight break points he faced in the fifth and final set. Meanwhile, Djokovic only had one break point opportunity on the Sinner serve in the decider – and he took it.
The world No. 4 is through to a Grand Slam final for the first time since Wimbledon 2024, when he lost to Carlos Alcaraz. And he faces the Spanish star again on Sunday. For now, Djokovic will definitely enjoy this victory. But his quest for a record 25th Grand Slam title is looking better than ever right now.
Absolutely incredible scenes in Melbourne Park right now – both inside and outside of Rod Laver Arena.
Novak Djokovic is through to the Australian Open final (Image: Getty)
Novak Djokovic one game away
Novak Djokovic, down 0-40, somehow holds.
He leads 5-3 in the fifth set and is playing some heroic tennis right now.
Carlos Alcaraz awaits in the final.
Novak Djokovic coming in clutch
A statistic just flashed up during that last game – Novak Djokovic has saved 74 per cent of break points he’s faced in Melbourne Park this fortnight.
Jannik Sinner is certainly helping with that stat. He’s won just two of 15 break points in this match and is already 0/5 in this fifth set.
It’s currently 2-2 in the decider.
Another five setter on RLA!
We’re going the distance on Rod Laver Arena – again! These five-set matches are like London buses – we haven’t had a single one on RLA this whole tournament, and now we’ve got two in a row.
After Carlos Alcaraz’s nailbiting five-hour and 27-minute win over Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic has just forced a decider against two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner.
The Serbian superstar won the fourth set to level the score at 3-6 6-3 4-6 6-4. This is now the first five-set match Djokovic has played since the 2024 French Open, when he beat Francisco Cerundolo and went on to pull out of the tournament after picking up a knee injury, then underwent surgery.
This is also the first time since 2017 that both men’s semis went five.
Novak Djokovic forced a fifth set (Image: Getty)
Why Jannik Sinner can’t win Australian Open
England cricket legend Kevin Pieterson has had his say…
Do you agree?
There have been some shockers in Melbourne this year.
Iu2019m sorry, but Sinner CANNOT win this years Aus Open.
Worst dressed must NOT win this tournament!
Mustard is a truly horrific colour!u2014 Kevin Pietersenud83eudd8f (@KP24) January 30, 2026
Jannik Sinner takes third set
Jannik Sinner has pulled ahead and is not far away from six Grand Slam finals in a row.
He won the third set 6-4, with Novak Djokovic beginning to struggle physically with the demands Sinner is putting on the Serb.
Sinner is now just one more set away from a third consecutive Australian Open final.
Jannik Sinner hits TREMENDOUS backhand passing shot against Djokovic at the Australian Open
This is how you save a break point
Even Novak canu2019t believe it ud83dude02
pic.twitter.com/zdA1aJlsXFu2014 The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 30, 2026
Carlos Alcaraz injury update
Carlos Alcaraz confirmed that he was never going to retire during his Australian Open semi-final.
There were a few moments between games where it looked like Alcaraz might have such a big issue he may need to retire, having pulled up with cramp and vomited into a towel.
But there was no thought to stop playing.
“Well, obviously I feel tired,” Alcaraz continued to explain. “You know, obviously, my body could be better, to be honest, but I think that’s normal after five hours and a half.
“So I just did whatever it takes just to try to be better, to feel better tomorrow. Ice bath, contract [sic]. I’m going to have treatment with the physio now, and we will see.
“Hopefully it’s not going to be nothing at all, but after five-hours-and-a-half match and that high level of physically, I think the muscles are going to be tight, and I just got to do whatever it takes to be as good as I can for the final.”
Novak Djokovic levels the score
Novak Djokovic has just taken a set off Jannik Sinner for the first time in two years.
The world No. 2 beat the 24-time Major winner in straight sets in the 2024 Shanghai Masters final, and in the semi-finals of the French Open and Wimbledon last year.
Djokovic and Sinner also faced off in the 2024 Australian Open semi-finals, where the Serbian superstar won the third set in a tiebreak, though he never broke the Sinner serve.
The Italian won that one 6-1 6-2 6-7(6) 6-3 and then claimed back-to-back Aussie Open titles.
But Djokovic has finally managed to put Sinner in a spot of bother. He’s just served out the second set 6-3, and it’s one-set all after an hour and 25 minutes.
As expected, the Rod Laver Arena crowd has gone wild again. Djokovic, meanwhile, has left for a change of attire break. He gets five minutes.
Novak Djokovic has taken the second set (Image: Getty)
Novak Djokovic has arrived
Rod Laver Arena is alive, and so is Novak Djokovic!
The 38-year-old has really settled into this match and is playing some great tennis. He’s getting a lot of power behind the ball, and he’s just broken the Jannik Sinner serve for the first time tonight.
The roof on the Aussie Open’s biggest showcourt is open. If it wasn’t, it would have been blown off after the roar the crowd made when Djokovic broke to lead 3-1. Game on.
Jannik Sinner takes first set
Jannik Sinner is serving with such intensity that any player would struggle.
He is simply pulling Novak Djokovic apart, just like he did at Wimbledon and Roland Garros last year.
Djokovic was not happy late on when a mobile phone went off in the crowd while returning, but there was little he would have been able to do without the disruption.
Jannik Sinner in semi-final action. (Image: Getty)
Full steam ahead for Jannik Sinner
After a five-hour and 27-minute thriller in the first semi-final between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, the second semi isn’t quite living up to the same hype.
As soon as the draw came out, fans circled a potential semi-final clash between two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner and 10-time former champ Novak Djokovic. But it’s not been much of a contest so far.
Sinner broke immediately and has just taken the first set 6-3 in 38 minutes. Djokovic had a break-back point in the fifth game, and the fans tried to get behind him. But the 24-year-old has been reeling off winners and running Djokovic around the court.
When Djokovic hits hard, Sinner hits it back ever harder. Some of the Serb’s shots would be winners against anyone else, but it’s routine so far for the No. 2 seed.
Novak Djokovic in trouble early on
The night session ticket holders have finally made it into Rod Laver Arena, and you can tell who they are backing tonight.
While Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner warmed up, the 10-time former champion for a rousing reception from the crowd, who cheered much louder than they did for the Italian.
But their man is in trouble. He was broken immediately, and Sinner leads 3-0 after 10 minutes.
Novak Djokovic vs Jannik Sinner is underway
The second semi-final has now started, with Novak Djokovic looking to upset reigning Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner.
The 38-year-old is bidding for a men’s record 25th Grand Slam title but fell to Sinner twice at the semi-final stage at Wimbledon and the French Open last year.
Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic before their semi-final. (Image: Getty)
Alexander Zverev hammered by TNT
The TNT Sports panel rubbed salt in Alexander Zverev’s wounds after his brutal defeat to Carlos Alcaraz.
Tim Henman, Jamie Murray and Coco Vandeweghe felt that the German was too passive and had he played more on the front foot, would have been the one celebrating.
Murray said: “It was very defensive-minded, he didn’t put his foot on the gas and really take it to him and kind of say ‘hey, this is my chance and I have been given a gift from God almost and I am going to make the most of it’.”
Henman added: “I think when we were watching and when Alcaraz is struggling so much, we are thinking ‘well how should Zverev be playing’ and you are thinking ‘well, he’s got to make him move’.”
Vandeweghe stuck the boot in further, saying: “I still couldn’t believe how passive Zverev was even in that third set, moving on into the fourth. When you see someone struggling that much, and as players we have all felt that…’If I just push them that little bit more, maybe they will pull the rip cord.
“I think (Zverev) could have gone about those next two sets in a very dominating manner. Give Carlos no life, on top of that he doesn’t give the crowd any life to want to root for Carlos to want to come back. You silence the crowd, you silence Carlos.”
Carlos Alcaraz thanks Alexander Zverev
Carlos Alcaraz, perhaps surprisingly, thanked Alexander Zverev for “putting pressure” on him during that dramatic semi-final.
Alcaraz went the entire distance and needed all five sets to beat the German, after suffering from cramp earlier in the contest.
“Thank you for putting so much pressure on me right now,” Alcaraz told Zverev in his on-court interview. “Don’t worry… I am just really happy to have the chance to play my first final in Melbourne.
“It’s something that I was pursing a lot, chasing a lot, having the chance to for the title. I think it has been a great two weeks so far, I think my level is increasing a lot.
“I think one thing that I say is ‘I wouldn’t stay here doing this interview without these guys (the crowd), it was for me a real pleasure to play in front of all of you. The way you pushed me back into the match, the way you push me every time, every ball and every point. It has been crazy.
“I am really grateful for the support, not only n this match but in the whole tournament. On Sunday it’s going to be a great atmosphere and support so I just can’t wait but obviously right now in my head it’s about recovering just to try and be in a good stage for you guys. See you on Sunday I guess.”
Djokovic vs Sinner delayed
The second men’s semi-final match between Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner was due to start at 7.30pm local time – but by the time Carlos Alcaraz beat Alexander Zverev, it was 8.14pm.
Djokovic vs Sinner is part of the night session, which has its own ticket. And the match will be further delayed as the roughly 14,800 day session ticketholders in Rod Laver Arena must now leave, then they need to get the night session fans in. No pressure!
Night session ticket holders had to wait outside during Alcaraz vs Zverev (Image: Channel 9)
Scenes on Rod Laver Arena
Melbourne Park is absolutely jumping.
Carlos Alcaraz just survived a nailbiting five-hour and 27-minute semi-final to beat Alexander Zverev.
He was cruising at two sets to love, but started cramping at 4-4 in the second set. Last year’s runner-up, Zverev, won the next two sets and went an early break up in the fifth. Alcaraz couldn’t take his first five break points in the decider.
But as Zverev served for the match, Alcaraz finally broke. And he reeled off four straight games to win 6-4 7-6 6-7 6-7 7-5, dropping to the ground.
The fans inside the arena went crazy. The night session ticket holders, who are sprawled across the grounds in their thousands, waiting for the second semi-final to start, went crazy.
It’s been a relatively tame tournament – this was the first five-set match on Rod Laver Arena in the entire main draw, and it’s day 13 of 15. But it was clearly well worth the wait, and the spectators know they’ve witnesses something special.
Asked how he won that match, the world No. 1 simply said: “Believing, believing all the time.”
Carlos Alcaraz defeats Alexander Zverev
Carlos Alcaraz is into the Australian Open final after winning a five-set thriller against Alexander Zverev.
The world No. 1 won the first two sets with relative ease, before suffering from cramp, which proved controversial as Zverev slammed the use of a medical timeout.
Zverev then won two tiebreakers in a row before grabbing an early break in the fifth set.
Alcaraz broke back and then somehow got over the line late on to deliver a performance worthy of a finalist.
What. A. Match.
Records broken this morning
In case anyone is keeping check, this is the longest match of the 2026 Australian Open already.
It beats the second round thriller between Stan Wawrinka and Arthur Gea.
Four hours and 47 minutes, with Alexander Zverev leading Carlos Alcaraz 3-2 in the fourth, with the German a break up.
Alexander Zverev lands huge hold
Alexander Zverev leads 3-1 in the fifth and deciding set as he moves closer to the Australian Open final.
He led 40-0 but was pushed back to two break points, before holding on to keep his lead.
Zverev had earlier broken Alcaraz as he bids to secure an unlikely comeback.
Alcaraz-Zverev going the distance
We are going to five sets after Alexander Zverev won a fourth-set tiebreak.
In the third tiebreak of this semi-final, Zverev came out on top thanks to his supreme first serve game.
This is the first time in his career that Carlos Alcaraz has been two sets up to love and then gone to a fifth set.
They have already played over four hours and Alcaraz has suffered from cramp.
Alexander Zverev has won the last two sets. (Image: Getty)
Today’s action
After the first semi-final between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, the second follows, not before 8.30am.
Novak Djokovic, a 10-time winner of the Australian Open, faces Jannik Sinner for a place in the final.
Star faces sanction
Ugo Humbert could be sanctioned by his own country’s federation after pulling out of an event.
He did not compete at the Davis Cup in order to prioritise his body and well-being, before falling in the first round of the Australian Open to Ben Shelton.
Now, the national technical director of the French Tennis Federation has warned Humbert that he may face punishment.
“Obviously, we are a little sad,” Didier Retiere told L’Equipe. “Team competitions leave an incredible mark on the lives of players, on the life of the federation, on the life of the public and clubs.
“When you start playing tennis, of course the ambition is to become a professional player. But it must also include the fact of wearing the tricolour jersey.
“It’s up to the president of the FFT, Gilles Moretton, to make the decision. We are disappointed. We are working on the matter.”
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Carlos Alcaraz in serious danger
Carlos Alcaraz suddenly pulled up in the third set of his semi-final with Alexander Zverev after suffering from a leg issue.
While serving at 4-4 in the third set, he needed to call the physio and received a medical timeout.
Zverev was not happy with the delay as he claimed that Alcaraz only had cramp, which medical timeouts are not permitted for.
Commentator Wally Masur claimed that Alcaraz was “not moving at all” and worried how the Spanish star would be able to continue at all.
He did return to the court, however, but lost the third set.
Carlos Alcaraz receiving medical treatment. (Image: Getty)
Good morning
Hello and welcome to Express Sport’s live coverage of the Australian Open and we will jump right into the first men’s semi-final, which Carlos Alcaraz leads Alexander Zverev 6-4 7-6(5) 6-7(3).
