Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

‘I Really Want Revenge’ – Carlos Alcaraz Targets Novak Djokovic at US Open 2025 – Shares Banter with Andy Murray & Sergio Garcia

Alcaraz pursues Djokovic revenge at the US Open and trades banter with Murray.

Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

In a blockbuster US Open semifinal on Friday, Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will renew one of the fiercest active rivalries in tennis. Djokovic had set his target rather evidently to complete his 25 Grand Slam wins. For Alcaraz, the stakes are high to try and win his sixth Grand Slam. The 22-year-old Spaniard is undefeated in sets this fortnight and is chasing not only his first hard-court major final since 2023 but also a return to the No. 1 ranking for the first time in two years. Revenge adds an extra layer, with Djokovic having beaten him in their last two high-profile encounters, including the Olympic gold medal match in Paris and the Australian Open quarterfinals earlier this year.

Carlos Alcaraz sur Novak Djokovic :

🗣️ « Je sais qu’il est motivé et qu’il en veut toujours plus. J’ai vraiment envie de prendre ma revanche. » 👀pic.twitter.com/mdO3uSanVb
— Univers Tennis 🎾 (@UniversTennis) September 3, 2025

Alcaraz Seeks Breakthrough Against Djokovic

Alcaraz has been clear about what fuels him heading into their ninth meeting. “Novak, we all know Novak’s game… 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, so let’s see,” he said. “I know I played a lot of times against him. I really want revenge. That’s obvious.”

Djokovic, who leads their head-to-head 5-3, brushed aside doubts over his fitness with wins against Jan-Lennard Struff and 2024 finalist Taylor Fritz. At 38, he knows the physical demands will be brutal but insists he is ready. “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 know that my best tennis is going to be required, but I’d rise to the occasion,” he said.

Novak Djokovic has won the last two matches he has played against Carlos Alcaraz… ⚔️

Who reaches the US Open final in 2025? 👇 pic.twitter.com/1VRsjxuSbB
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) September 3, 2025

A win would set up a likely final against Jannik Sinner, who has already faced Alcaraz in two Slam finals this season. But before thinking of that, the Spaniard must solve the Djokovic puzzle.

Murray Banter Adds Humor to the Build-Up

While preparing for his semifinal, Alcaraz also sparked headlines off the court. After his quarterfinal win, he said he will play golf with Spanish golf legend Sergio Garcia on Wednesday. “I would say I have a really difficult round tomorrow against Juanki, Sergio Garcia is there as well… I think it’s going to be great. I’m not that good, Sergio, come on,” Alcaraz joked.

Doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve achieved no one is above a little handicap debate. Our sport is the great equalizer. pic.twitter.com/j2apf1WiqT
— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) September 3, 2025

Andy Murray, retired since 2024, couldn’t resist chiming in. On X, he quipped, “I gave him about 12 shots and smoked him so I’d imagine Sergio would need to give him 25.” Alcaraz quickly fired back with, “You only beat me because your partner was good. You brave enough to play me at singles?”

Humor aside, Alcaraz’s focus remains sharp. Djokovic stands in the way of his quest for revenge, a return to the top ranking, and another chance to battle Sinner on the sport’s biggest stage.

Mandatory Image Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

Andy Murray

Carlos Alcaraz

Novak Djokovic

Sergio Garcia

US Open 2025

Rudra Dubey

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I’m an academic turned sports writer from Raipur, India, specializing in the NFL, MMA, and tennis at The Playoffs. I previously wrote for Sportskeeda and hold a B.A. and M.A. in History. My journey into sports media began far from the field, rooted in the arts and sciences. Funny enough, I didn’t grow up a sports fan; I used to see it all as just noise. But a fateful writing job introduced me to the world of sports, and what began as a gig quickly became a passion. I understood those voices aren’t noise; they’re emotions of true sports fans, and now I am one of them, writing with the same energy I once questioned.