Generational Rivalry: Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz head into 2026 after playing for four of five biggest titles

With his 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 victory over Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals of Roland Garros on Friday, Novak Djokovic moved through to the 34th Grand Slam final of his career, improving his incredible career record in Grand Slam semifinal matches to 34-11.

But when you go deeper into it, there’s something even more incredible about that record—it actually started out as 14-10.

Since the start of the 2015 season, Djokovic is an absolutely ridiculous 20-1 in Grand Slam semifinals, and he very nearly won the only semifinal match he’s lost in this stretch.

DJOKOVIC IN GRAND SLAM SEMIFINALS SINCE START OF 2015 (20-1):
d. Wawrinka in 2015 Australian Open SFs, 7-6 (1), 3-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-0
d. Murray in 2015 Roland Garros SFs, 6-3, 6-3, 5-7, 5-7, 6-1
d. Gasquet in 2015 Wimbledon SFs, 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-4
d. Cilic in 2015 US Open SFs, 6-0, 6-1, 6-2
d. Federer in 2016 Australian Open SFs, 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
d. Thiem in 2016 Roland Garros SFs, 6-2, 6-1, 6-4
d. Monfils in 2016 US Open SFs, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
d. Nadal in 2018 Wimbledon SFs, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (9), 3-6, 10-8
d. Nishikori in 2018 US Open SFs, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2
d. Pouille in 2019 Australian Open SFs, 6-0, 6-2, 6-2
l. to Thiem in 2019 Roland Garros SFs, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5, 5-7, 7-5
d. Bautista Agut in 2019 Wimbledon SFs, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2
d. Federer in 2020 Australian Open SFs, 7-6 (1), 6-4, 6-3
d. Tsitsipas in 2020 Roland Garros SFs, 6-3, 6-2, 5-7, 4-6, 6-1
d. Karatsev in 2021 Australian Open SFs, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2
d. Nadal in 2021 Roland Garros SFs, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-2
d. Shapovalov in 2021 Wimbledon SFs, 7-6 (3), 7-5, 7-5
d. Zverev in 2021 US Open SFs, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2
d. Norrie in 2022 Wimbledon SFs, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4
d. Paul in 2023 Australian Open SFs, 7-5, 6-1, 6-2
d. Alcaraz in 2023 Roland Garros SFs, 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1

And there’s a similar split in Djokovic’s career record in Grand Slam finals, too. He’s 22-11 in those, but at one point it was 8-8—since midway through the 2015 season he’s 14-3 in major finals.

He’ll face either Casper Ruud or Alexander Zverev for a record-breaking 23rd career Grand Slam title on Sunday.

3⃣4⃣th major final! @DjokerNole conquers Alcaraz! He will fight for Grand Slam 2⃣3⃣ on Sunday! #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/0ok5a94Rya
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) June 9, 2023

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