PRICKLY Novak Djokovic bristled at a question after fortuitously booking his place in the Australian Open semi-finals.
The Serbian, 38, trailed Lorenzo Musetti 6-4 6-3 1-3 before the Italian had to quit with an injury.
Djokovic has gone more than two years since winning a Grand Slam, having earned his 24th and most recent major at the US Open in 2023.
Following his clash with Musetti, a reporter attempted to ask Djokovic about how chasing Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner compares with his pursuit of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at the start of his career.
Immediately bemused, Djokovic cut off the question, asking: “I’m chasing Jannik and Carlos, in which sense?
When it was clarified that Djokovic was competing with the duo to try and win Grand Slam titles, the irritated star added: “So I’m always the chaser and I’ve never been chased?”
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After it was then pointed out that he had won 24 Grand Slam titles in the meantime, Djokovic bit back: “Thanks. It’s worth saying that sometimes, right?”
He then went on to add: “I find it a little bit disrespectful that you miss out on what happened in between the times when I started ‘chasing’ as you say Rafa and Roger, and now that I’m chasing Carlos and Jannik.
“And there’s probably about a 15-year period in-between where I was dominating the Grand Slams.
“So I think it’s important to put that in perspective.”
Djokovic has reached the Australian Open semi-finals without winning a set in either of the last two rounds.
The veteran superstar received a walkover in round four due to an injury suffered by Jakub Mensik, before Musetti succumbed during their encounter.
Despite his prickly response to the question about “chasing” Sinner and Alcaraz, the ever magnanimous star was at pains to give Musetti credit and admit his fortune.
Djokovic said: “I don’t know what to say except that I feel really sorry for him.
“He was the far better player, I was on my way home. It happened to me a few times but being in the quarters of a Slam, two sets to love up, in full control, so unfortunate.
“I wish him a speedy recovery and he should have been the winner today no doubt.
“I’m going to double my prayers tonight of gratitude to God for really giving me the opportunity.
“I’m going to do my best in a couple of days to use it.”
Djokovic will meet Sinner in the semi-finals, after the Italian breezed past Ben Shelton 6-3 6-4 6-4.
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