Carlos Alcaraz delivered a measured appraisal of Novak Djokovic following a straight-sets victory that sent him into the 2025 US Open final.

Alcaraz defeated Djokovic 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-2 in the semi-finals to reach his second championship match at Flushing Meadows after 2022, when he won his first major. After two competitive sets in Arthur Ashe Stadium, Alcaraz pulled away in the third as his 38-year-old Serbian rival faded physically.

The result was Alcaraz’s first hard-court victory over Djokovic in four meetings, leaving their head-to-head at 4-5 in favour of the 24-time Grand Slam winner.

In an interview with ESPN Tenis, Alcaraz praised Djokovic’s achievements and character, and called him a “wonderful person.”

“Novak as a player? Well, I think everyone knows about Novak as a player. What he’s done on the court… what he does on the court is practically unrepeatable,” said Alcaraz (translated from Spanish).

“The legend that Novak is right now, everything he’s done, all the records he’s broken… I think everyone sees it and it’s worthy of admiration.

“But above all, what’s worthy of admiration is how he is off the court, I think that behind-the-scenes side that people don’t know. Djokovic is a wonderful person, always there to help the younger ones and everyone.

“His team around him are also incredible, and that’s what’s really admirable. Everything he is, and equally humble or such a beautiful person… That makes him great, right?”

Alcaraz expressed his respect on social media as well: “Big respect for @djokernole! It was a privilege to share a court with you on another big stage! I could not be happier! We’re in the US Open final! VAMOOOOOS.”

Asked about Djokovic reaching the semi-finals at all four majors this season, Alcaraz remarked on his longevity and level: “It’s impressive,” Alcaraz said. “It’s impressive what he has done this year in the Slams, reaching the semi-final in every Slam, challenging the next gen, challenging us the way he’s doing.

“It’s impressive. I talking always like, he looks like 25 years old physically. So that’s… to maintain that level at 38. It’s impressive.”

Alcaraz will meet world No 1 Jannik Sinner in the US Open final.

Emma Raducanu has chosen to compete at the WTA 500 Korea Open in Seoul instead of joining Great Britain for the Billie Jean King Cup finals in China. The decision, prioritising ranking points over national duty, has immediate consequences for the British team and raises questions about the competition’s standing in the modern calendar.

Raducanu’s withdrawal is likely to dent Great Britain’s chances at the finals staged in Shenzen later this month. Their quarter-final tie with Japan now looks set to be contested without their leading player, with out-of-form Katie Boulter and British No 3 Sonay Kartal expected to shoulder the burden.

Team captain Anne Keothavong would have accepted an absence prompted by injury or the need for a training block, but Raducanu will instead chase points in Seoul. From a professional angle the move is understandable: the ranking points available at the Korea Open could lift her into the top 30 and help secure a seeded place at the Australian Open in January.

The optics, however, are awkward. Team-mates are unlikely to welcome the choice and British tennis administrators who supported her pathway into the professional game may view the decision with disappointment. The move also invites doubt about Raducanu’s long-term commitment to the Billie Jean King Cup, a competition that appears low on her list of priorities.

The International Tennis Federation scheduled the finals during the WTA Tour’s Asian swing, creating a clash that has already influenced player availability. She is not the first high-profile player to skip a team event when personal goals take precedence. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray previously pulled out of Davis Cup matches while pursuing individual objectives. In the Billie Jean King Cup era, several captains have been forced to name weakened teams as leading players such as Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff opted not to play.

Raducanu’s choice is the latest example of a top player prioritising individual ranking and preparation over national team competition in an increasingly crowded calendar.

Tournament director Craig Tiley has promised an extraordinary send-off at the Australian Open when Novak Djokovic chooses to retire, but he does not expect that moment to arrive in 2026. “All I can say is it’s going to be big. I hope it’s for a long time still, though,” he told Claytennis and RG Media . “He’s a great player and I would like to see him play longer. He still does extremely well.

Djokovic remains the last active member of the so-called Big Three after Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal stepped away in recent years. Federer staged his farewell at the 2022 Laver Cup and Nadal left after the 2024 season, with his big farewell taking place at Roland Garros this year. Djokovic attended both ceremonies, as did former world No 1 Andy Murray, who retired in 2024 with his hooray at Wimbledon last July.

Speculation about Djokovic’s retirement has grown after the 24-time Grand Slam champion finished a second straight season without lifting a major. He reached the semi-final at all four majors this year but was unable to convert any into a title.

Tiley said the tournament has plans for a memorable farewell but that it would be premature to reveal details now. “When the time comes… we do have some ideas! It would be premature to share them now. I don’t see Novak retiring anytime soon. He’s at the top of his game. “We’re more focused on having a great event in 2026. The US Open did a brilliant job, a really good event, and we’re looking forward to upping the ante even more.”

Djokovic himself downplayed talk of retirement after his Flushing Meadows defeat to Carlos Alcaraz, insisting he still believes he can compete, particularly in shorter matches. “I’m happy with my level of tennis, but, you know, it’s just the physicality of it. You know, I try to. As I said, you know, after the quarter-finals, the press conference, when I spoke to you guys, I said, you know, I’m gonna do my very best to get my body in shape, to sustain that level and that rhythm for as many hours as it’s needed, but, you know, it wasn’t enough,” he said.

He added: “So that’s something I, unfortunately, at this point in time, my career can’t control. So, you know, I can do only as much as I can do. And, yeah, it will be very difficult for me in the future to overcome the hurdle of senior Alcaraz in the best of five on the Grand Slams. I think I have a better chance. Best of three, but best of five, it’s tough.

“I’m, you know, not giving up on Grand Slams in that regard. Having said that, I’m going to continue fighting and trying to, you know, trying to get to the. To the finals and fight for another trophy at least, but, you know, it’s going to be a very, very difficult task.”