New York City is buzzing with anticipation as two generations of tennis greatness prepare to collide on the iconic blue courts of the US Open. Novak Djokovic, the Serbian legend at 38 years old, is chasing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title. Standing in his path is the 22-year-old Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz, whose meteoric rise and relentless form have made him one of the sport’s most formidable forces. Their semifinal clash, scheduled for Friday, September 5, 2025, at Arthur Ashe Stadium, promises to be a showdown for the ages.
Djokovic’s journey to this semifinal has been nothing short of remarkable. After a season marred by injuries—a torn hamstring forced him to withdraw from the Australian Open, and a groin issue hampered his Wimbledon run—the Serbian has shown resilience that defies his age. He hadn’t competed since leaving the All England Club in July, but his return to Flushing Meadows has reignited hopes of another historic triumph. On Tuesday night, Djokovic dispatched No. 4 seed Taylor Fritz in four sets, marking his 53rd major semifinal and 14th at the US Open. The victory was another testament to his enduring excellence, even as the physical demands of the sport intensify with each passing year.
"Well, it’s not going to get easier, I’ll tell you that," Djokovic admitted with a wry smile after his quarterfinal win. "I’m going to try to take one day at a time. Really take care of my body. Try to relax and recover. The next couple of days is really key for me to really get my body in shape and ready to battle five sets, if it’s needed. I just would really love that."
The numbers speak volumes about Djokovic’s career. With 24 major championships and 37 Grand Slam final appearances, he holds nearly every record of significance in men’s tennis. Four of those titles have come at the US Open (2011, 2015, 2018, and 2023), though Arthur Ashe Stadium has never been his most dominant stage compared to his 10 Australian Open and seven Wimbledon crowns. Yet, what’s new for Djokovic is the challenge of contending at the highest level at age 38. "Normally I like to play the big matches on a big stage. It’s just that I’m not really sure how the body is going to feel in the next few days. But I’m going to do my very best with my team to be fit for that," he said. "There’s going to be a lot of running involved, that’s for sure. It’s not going to be short points."
His opponent, Carlos Alcaraz, represents the future—and perhaps the present—of men’s tennis. The Spaniard’s 2025 season has been nothing short of dazzling. Alcaraz boasts a 59-6 win-loss record this year, with six titles to his name, including triumphs at Monte-Carlo, Rome, Roland-Garros, Queen’s Club, and Cincinnati. Since April, he’s gone 43-2, a testament to his consistency and dominance on tour. Alcaraz’s breakthrough came at the 2022 US Open, where, as a 19-year-old, he stormed to his first Grand Slam title. Since then, he’s collected four more major trophies, though a second US Open crown has thus far eluded him.
Alcaraz’s run to the semifinals has been equally impressive—he hasn’t dropped a set in the tournament and has taken down seeded opponents with authority. As he prepares for his ninth career meeting with Djokovic, the stakes couldn’t be higher. "I really want revenge, that’s obvious," Alcaraz declared ahead of the match. "I just want to step on court, try to do my things, follow my goals and try to enjoy as much as I can."
The rivalry between Djokovic and Alcaraz has quickly become one of the sport’s most compelling narratives. Their head-to-head currently stands at 5-3 in favor of Djokovic. The Serbian has won their last two encounters—the 2025 Australian Open quarterfinals and the gold-medal match at the Paris 2024 Olympics, both on hard courts, a surface where Alcaraz has yet to defeat him. Alcaraz, however, has bested Djokovic in two Wimbledon finals, in 2023 and 2024, showing he’s not intimidated by the legend’s aura on the sport’s grandest stages.
This US Open semifinal marks their first-ever meeting at Flushing Meadows, completing their rivalry’s reach across all four Grand Slam tournaments. It will also be their fifth Grand Slam meeting overall and their second since the Olympic showdown in Paris. Interestingly, each man has two victories against the other at majors, further stoking the intrigue ahead of Friday’s clash. The only time their battles have gone the distance of five sets was at the 2023 Wimbledon final, a match that’s already become part of tennis lore.
For Djokovic, the road ahead doesn’t get any easier. Should he overcome Alcaraz, a potential final against world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, 23, could await on Sunday. Sinner, who has been in stellar form himself, must navigate past Lorenzo Musetti and his own semifinal opponent to set up that tantalizing championship match. Djokovic is well aware of the challenge: "We don’t need to spend words about the two of them. We know that they are two best players in the world," he said, referencing Alcaraz and Sinner. "Everybody is probably expecting and anticipating (a U.S. Open final) between the two of them. I’m going to try to mess up the plans of most of the people." With a glint of determination, he added, "I definitely am not going with a white flag on the court."
Alcaraz, for his part, is fueled by the prospect of turning the tables on Djokovic. The Spaniard’s hunger is palpable, and his form suggests he’s more than capable of rising to the occasion. As the younger man in what’s often called a young man’s sport, Alcaraz knows every match against Djokovic is both a test and an opportunity. "I have another chance, another shot. Hopefully ... I can be fit enough and play well enough to keep up with Carlos," Djokovic said, acknowledging the challenge that lies ahead. "Then it can be anybody’s match."
As for the fans, the excitement is reaching fever pitch. The match is set for Friday evening in New York, with a prime-time slot at 7pm local time (23:00 GMT), ensuring a global audience will be tuning in. ESPN will broadcast the action in the United States, with coverage available worldwide through various networks, including Eurosport, Sky Sports, Star Sports, and others. The tennis world will be watching as two of its brightest stars battle for a place in Sunday’s final.
With history on the line for Djokovic and redemption in the sights of Alcaraz, Friday’s semifinal has all the makings of a classic. Whether it’s the seasoned champion adding to his legendary legacy or the young challenger staking his claim as the sport’s new king, one thing’s for certain: Arthur Ashe Stadium is about to witness another unforgettable chapter in tennis history.
