Djokovic set on extending Australian Open domination

Far from satisfied with 10 titles, Novak Djokovic says he's prepared to "walk the extra mile" as he looks to extend his stunning Australian Open record.

The 36-year-old is two wins away from adding to his Melbourne Park legend, with Italian world No.4 Jannik Sinner standing in his way in a mouth-watering Friday semi-final.

Djokovic says he's not ready to let go of his Australian Open winning streak, now at 33, saying Rod Laver Arena had been "the court" of his career.

"I'm aware of the streak that I'm on and the amount of matches that I have won in my career on the Rod Laver Arena and I don't want to let that go," said Djokovic, who has won a record 24 grand slam titles.

"The longer the streak goes, the more that kind of confidence, also expectations build, but also the willingness to really walk the extra mile.

"I just love playing on this court. It's been the court for me in my career."

Djokovic won his first major back in 2008, but 22-year-old Sinner is gunning for his first.

The Italian has only reached the final four of a grand slam once previously, at last year's Wimbledon where he was eliminated by Djokovic in straight sets.

He has lost to Djokovic four times in their six meetings, although he won their most recent clash in the Davis Cup semi-finals.

Sinner has arrived at the semi-finals without dropping a set, crediting his Australian coach Darren Cahill, a former mentor of world No.1s Lleyton Hewitt, Andre Agassi and Simona Halep, with helping take his game to a new level.

His biggest test came in his quarter-final win over Andre Rublev when he was forced to scramble from 1-5 down in the second-set tiebreak before wrapping it up 7-5.

While some have said his lack of intense matches could leave him short ahead of a likely best-of-five-set battle against Djokovic, Sinner felt that tiebreak showed he was ready for the super Serbian.

"There were a lot of pressure points, which most of the time they went my way, so I'm very happy," the Italian said.

"I handled it in a good way, in a right way, and hopefully it's going to help me for the next match.

"Novak has an incredible record here, so for me it's a pleasure to play against him, especially in the final stages of the tournament where things are a little bit more interesting."

Carlos Alcaraz, the only man to beat Djokovic in a grand slam tournament last year, said Sinner had the game to topple the world No.1.

"It's not easy to beat Novak in a tournament, but I think it's even tougher in a grand slam, but he has to face Jannik Sinner, who is playing an unbelievable game," said the world No.2, who made a quarter-final exit.

"He has not dropped a set in this tournament and that means that he has the level and the capacity to beat Novak."

1-NOVAK DJOKOVIC (SRB) leads 4-JANNIK SINNER (ITA) 4-2

2023 Davis Cup, hard, SF, Sinner 6-2 2-6 7-5

2023 ATP Finals, hard, F, Djokovic 6-3 6-3

2023 ATP Finals, hard, RR, Sinner 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-2)

2023 Wimbledon, grass, SF, Djokovic 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4)

2022 Wimbledon, grass, QF, Djokovic 5-7 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-2

2021 Monte Carlo Masters, clay, R32, Djokovic 6-4 6-2

NOVAK DJOKOVIC

Age: 36

Ranking: 1

Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US180,937,203

Career titles: 98

Grand slam titles: 24 (Australian Open 2008, 2011-2013, 2015-16, 2019-21, 2023; French Open 2016, 2021, 2023; Wimbledon 2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022; US Open 2011, 2015, 2018, 2023)

Australian Open win-loss record: 94-8

Best Australian Open results: champion 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023

JANNIK SINNER

Age: 22

Ranking: 4

Plays: right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Career prize money: $US17,043,434

Career titles: 10

Grand slam titles: 0

Australian Open win-loss record: 13-4

Best Australian Open result: semi-finalist 2024