Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz bring rivalry to all four majors after setting US Open semifinal

Come Friday in New York, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will square off for the ninth time on tour.

The two are set to bring their rivalry to all four Grand Slam events by reaching the US Open semifinals. Djokovic won their most recent encounter in this year’s Australian Open quarterfinals, moving ahead 5-3 in the pair’s series.

A rundown of their history:

2022 Madrid SF: Alcaraz wins, 6-7 (5), 7-5, 7-6 (5)

This semifinal was the most anticipated first meeting of the 2022 ATP season. It’s safe to say, after Alcaraz’s win, in three hours and 35 minutes, that the match and his performance lived to up to all of those expectations, and may have added a few more for the future. “Both of us played an incredible match.” READ MORE

2023 Roland Garros SF: Djokovic wins, 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1

Through two sets, the match was played at hyper speed and delivered on all of its shotmaking promise. But while serving at 1-1, 0-15 in the third set, Alcaraz conceded the remainder of the game in order to receive treatment for cramping during the changeover. “From that moment onwards it was a different match.” READ MORE

2023 Wimbledon F: Alcaraz wins, 1-6, 7-6 (6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4

Rather than a harbinger, the match now feels like a one-day celebration of the sport. All of its elements will stay in the mind’s eye of everyone who watched. The sun-filled, tension-filled Centre Court. The royalty, Spanish and English, young and old, rooting like hardcore fans. The world’s two best players pushing each to their physical and mental limits. “I grew up a lot since that moment in the French Open.” READ MORE

2023 Cincinnati F: Djokovic wins, 5-7, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (4)

If any final deserved a third-set tiebreaker, it was this one. When it was over, Djokovic lay on his back, in disbelief at his win (having saved a championship point). Alcaraz stood and stared at the court beneath him, in disbelief at his defeat. A minute later on the sidelines, Djokovic doused his head with water, as Alcaraz fought back tears. “It's a crazy match that we've been through today. A roller coaster.” READ MORE

2023 ATP Finals SF: Djokovic wins, 6-3, 6-2

There was little between the two players in the first half hour of the match as they traded holds through the first seven games. That’s when Djokovic pounced, winning five of the next six games. Perhaps the biggest stat: Djokovic saved all four break points he faced. “Best match of the tournament for me without a doubt.” READ MORE

2024 Wimbledon F: Alcaraz wins, 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (4)

Alcaraz looked all of his 21 years. His serves skidded off the lines in the 130s, his forehands were hit too hard for anyone’s defenses, even Djokovic’s, to handle, and his passing shots were laser-guided into the open court every time. For the first time at this tournament, Alcaraz came out firing, and didn’t let up. “I was inferior on the court, that’s it.” READ MORE

2024 Paris Olympics F: Djokovic wins, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2)

Djokovic and Alcaraz knew how much Sunday's gold-medal match meant to their careers. And because it was a best-of-three-set contest, unlike many of their recent collisions, they also knew how much the first set meant. It was a first that felt like a fifth—and which, in a way, turned out to be decisive. The Serbian put an end to any men's tennis GOAT debates with his win. "Arguably the biggest success I ever had." READ MORE

2025 Australian Open QF: Djokovic wins, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4

Djokovic played with an edge, desperation, and self-belief that was similar to what he showed in Paris. He let the tennis world know that he’s all-in for his 25th major, and all in for the 2025 season. Along the way, he gave his rival and possible successor a GOAT-style lesson in how to grab your chances by the neck and never let them go. “I saw that Carlos was hesitant a little bit from the back of the court.” READ MORE