Novak Djokovic is getting some serious backup for his US Open semifinal showdown with Carlos Alcaraz. Tennis legend Monica Seles drove eight hours to New York just to support the Serbian star.
And he’s going to need all the help he can get.
Djokovic has been struggling to close out big matches this season. He’s made it to three Grand Slam semifinals but hasn’t reached a single final yet. Jannik Sinner beat him twice in semis, and he had to retire from another one.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Novak Djokovic | 38 | 8,360 | 18 - 6 |
Now he’s facing Alcaraz, who’s currently ranked No. 2 in the world.
These two haven’t met in a semifinal this year, but they did clash at the Australian Open quarterfinals. Djokovic won that one in four sets back in January.
That was actually their only meeting of 2025 so far.
Monica Seles Makes the Trip
The nine-time Grand Slam champion didn’t just show up randomly. Djokovic recently hinted that Seles might become his coach, so this visit could be pretty significant.
She was already spotted talking to Djokovic during his practice session before the Alcaraz match.
"I just came to watch him in his match. I drove eight hours to support him," Seles told Sportklub. "I’ll be here under the radar, how to say. Just to win. We all have to support him."
But don’t expect to see her in Djokovic’s player box.
"I won’t. I don’t want him to change anything. I’m very superstitious," she explained.
That’s pretty typical for tennis players and their support teams. When something’s working, you don’t mess with it.
The Challenge Ahead
Seles knows exactly what Djokovic is up against. Alcaraz is 21 years old and playing some of the best tennis of his career.
"Novak must not waste his energy on anything, except on the court," Seles said. "Alcaraz is a great player, he will need everything to win."
She’s not wrong about that. The Spanish star has been pretty dominant this season, and he’s hungry for revenge after that Australian Open loss.
Djokovic beat Alcaraz in the Paris Olympics final last year, which was probably one of the most dramatic matches of 2024. But this year’s been different for the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
Alcaraz Wants Revenge
The young Spaniard isn’t hiding his motivation for this match. He wants payback for that Australian Open quarterfinal defeat.
"I really want revenge. That’s obvious," Alcaraz said before the semifinal.
He’s also not buying into any talk about Djokovic being rusty. The Serbian hasn’t played much since Wimbledon, but Alcaraz isn’t falling for that narrative.
"It doesn’t matter that he has been out of the Tour since Wimbledon. [He’s] playing great matches here. I know he’s hungry. I know his ambition for more."
That’s a smart approach. Djokovic has 37 Grand Slam titles and knows how to peak at the right moments.
Alcaraz is expecting a physical battle too. "There’s going to be a lot of running involved, that’s for sure. It’s not going to be short points."
What’s at Stake
For Djokovic, this semifinal represents a chance to finally break through this season. He’s been close multiple times but hasn’t been able to get over the line against the sport’s elite players.
Having Seles in his corner – even if she’s not literally in his corner – could provide the mental boost he needs.
The match promises to be one of those epic encounters these two are known for. And with Seles making that eight-hour drive to be there, you know it’s going to be something special.
