Novak Djokovic described Carlos Alcaraz as like facing a blend of the big three -- himself, Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer.
The German was visibly distraught ahead of the trophy ceremony, appearing emotional as he fought back tears.
Djokovic backs schedule change at expanded Australian Open
IMAGES from Day 5 of the US Open, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows, New York, on Friday.
Novak Djokovic is returning to the US for the first time in two years after being denied entry due to being unvaccinated for COVID-19.
Novak Djokovic marched into the semis of the Dubai Tennis Championship, with a comfortable win over Hubert Hurkacz.
Carlos Alcaraz kept his Indian Wells 'three-peat' campaign on track with a straight sets win against Canadian Denis Shapovalov in the third round.
'I'm just glad to overcome today's challenge in straight sets and move on.'
Rather than face the prospect of a lengthy ban, with a decision expected by the end of the year, World No 1 Jannik Sinner accepted the three-month suspension which will allow him to return before the French Open.
Photos pf tennis action across the USA on Sunday.
Learner Tien became the youngest man to reach the Australian Open fourth round in 20 years
Jannik Sinner secured the year-end world number one ranking by beating Czech 30th seed Tomas Machac in the Shanghai Masters semi-finals.
World No 1 Carlos Alcaraz fended off in-form American Tommy Paul to reach the Cincinnati Open quarter-finals on Thursday
ITF said that Novak Djokovic's statement at the French Open did not break any rules.
Only 28 players have ever held the top rank in the ATP Rankings' history, including Djokovic. For the eighth time in a row (he also won the title in 2011-12, 2014-15, 18 and 20), he concluded the year as the top player.
Novak Djokovic will miss next week's Miami Open after the Serbian was denied an exemption that would have allowed him to enter the US despite not being vaccinated against COVID-19.
Usain Bolt, once the fastest man on the planet, partied with 21-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic at the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday.
The two cases shocked the tennis world with many fuming at how they were handled by the authorities.
Novak Djokovic says he is still dealing with an elbow issue heading into this week's Srpska Open as the Serb looks to get his French Open preparations back on track.
Djokovic was deported on the eve of the 2022 Australian Open in January
World No 1 Novak Djokovic said Carlos Alcaraz is the man to beat on clay and is one of the top title contenders for the French Open.
Though having won the French Open and a second Wimbledon crown last year with his previous serving action, Alcaraz was unhappy with its accuracy and overall strain on the body.
Novak Djokovic, one of the most high-profile unvaccinated athletes in the world, has applied for special permission to enter the United States to play at the Indian Wells and Miami Open.
Novak Djokovic defended his father after a video emerged showing him posing at the Australian Open with some fans holding Russian flags, saying he was "misused" by the individuals and that his family was against war.
Carlos Alcaraz ended Australian qualifier Max Purcell's dream run to reach the Cincinnati Open semi-finals
Nadal was much more than a claycourt bully, though. He spent more than 900 successive weeks from 2005 in the ATP's top 10, 209 of them at number one and at the age of 24 became the youngest player to complete the career Grand Slam.
For the first time since 2004, neither Novak Djokovic nor the injured Rafael Nadal will be in the Rome final.
Nagal's career maintained an upward spike when he became the 10th player from India to break into top 100 in ATP rankings.
Ben Shelton said uncharacteristic errors at crucial moments had proved costly during his Australian Open semi-final loss against defending champion Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic will next play Denis Shapovalov, who he has beaten in all seven of their meetings.
That decision opened a path for him to target a 10th title at the Grand Slam and tie Rafael Nadal's mark of 22 majors.
Casper Ruud returned to the French Open final for a second year running by dismantling German 22nd seed Alexander Zverev to set up a showdown with 22-times Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.
Novak Djokovic said there was something extra behind his title charge at this year's Australian Open after being deported from the country last year.
Images from Day 4 of the 2024 Australian Open in Melbourne on Wednesday.
'The fact that I wasn't playing for several months beginning of last year allowed me to really get together with my team and work on my body, on my strokes, which has later helped me to achieve some great results.'
Australian Open organisers said "tennis' most famous frenemies" will play each other at Rod Laver Arena on Friday.
Alexander Zverev played his best tennis when it mattered most to down Tommy Paul and reach his third Australian Open semi-final in five years
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has applied for special permission to enter the United States to participate in the ATP Masters 1000 events.
In the ongoing Monte Carlo Masters, Jannik Sinner clinched a hard-fought win as Casper Ruud crashed out.
The young royal was urged to not drop the prized Wimbledon trophy by his father after being handed the trophy by Djokovic.
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