Australian Open: I Just Wish This Was A Final' – Djokovic Celebrates 'Epic' Defeat Of Alcaraz

Novak Djokovic celebrated coming out on top in an "epic" contest with Carlos Alcaraz, which he just wished would have been a final. (More Tennis News)

Djokovic progressed to the Australian Open semi-finals with a resilient&n👍bs♋p;4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 victory at Rod Laver Arena.

The Serbian great, who is hunting a record-breaking 25th gran💜d slam title, had to recover from an injury he suffered in the first set, which Alcaraz cꦕlinched shortly after Djokovic's medical timeout.

But 10-time Australian Open champion Djokovic clicked through the gears to play his b🎶est tennis of the tournament and set up a semi-final against🐎 world number two Alexander Zverev.

This was the eighth meeting between Djokovic and Alcaraz, but their 🍨first before the semi-finals of any event.

And Djokovic believes the thre🍸e-hour, 37-minute clash would have been fitting of a grand slam final.

"I want to give my utmost respect for Carlos for everything he stands for and all he has achieved so far in his young career, what a terrific guy he is, and an even better competitor,&ꦑquot; Djokovic said.

"The youngest ever number one in the history of our sport – four grand slam titles, I'm sure we’re going to see a lot of him. He's going to be there for sure, longer than me. I just wis🥂h this match was a final.

"One of ൲the most epic matches I've played on this court – on any court."

Djokovic i🌱s now level with Jimmy Connors (91.67%) for the best men's singles winning percentage at the Australian Open in the Open Era (minimum 10 matches played), while he is also into his 12th semi-final at the major. Only Roger Federer (15) has reached the last four on more occasions at Melbourne Park.

The 37-year-old, who embraced 𓆏his coach Andy Mu🐼rray after sealing the victory on the first match point, said he might have considered withdrawing due to injury, had he lost the second set.

"The medicati♌on started to 🔯kick in and it helped, no doubt. I had to take another dose. I know that sounds awful, but I had to," Djokovic added.

"If I'd lost 🤪the second set, I don't know if I'd have continued playing, but I felt better and better, I managed to play a great couple of games at the end of the second set. Carlos was a bit hesitant, and I took my chances, started to feel better, move better, it didn't bother me towards the end of the match.

"When the medication wears off, I’ll s♔ee what the reality is."

Djokovic struggled with a hamstring injury when he won the title in Melbourne in 2023, 🌠but he suggested playing through pain brings an element of free❀dom.

He said: "Honestly, sometimes it helps, it definitely helped in the second and third set. We are so nervous on the court, there's a lot happening, you're going through emotional turmoil, you're up and d🌟own, any point can shift the momentum, especially against a champion like Carlos.

"You've got to come out and be at your best. But it does help mentally, because you start to play more aggressively. I guess that's g🌼oing to b𒊎e necessary for me when I play Zverev."

Djokovic, who is now on 99 Aust꧅ralian Open match wins, holds an 8-3 winning record against Zverev, who he has beaten in all three of their grand slam meetings.

"Hopefuღlly I can cඣome out and play at my best, he is playing unbelievable tennis at the moment," said Djokovic with a smile.

"But we have an agreement, as long as we play, he's going to let me wꦡin grand slam matches🗹!"