Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz meet for the ninth time in their professional careers in this afternoon’s 2025 U.S. Open men’s semifinal.
This will be their first encounter at Arthur Ashe Stadium — and perhaps their last here, or at any Grand Slam.
At 38, Djokovic is in the twilight of one of the sport’s greatest careers, with 24 majors won over two decades. This U.S. Open has tested him from the start against opponents as young as half his age. Yet time and again, he has found another gear in the second set, grinding his way through matches.
The wins no longer come easily, but they still come. Even operating at less than his peak, Djokovic remains part of the game’s elite.
But no opponent he has faced so far brings what Alcaraz does. The 22-year-old Spaniard combines a full arsenal of shots with uncanny instincts, able to raise his level at will. He plays with joy and fluidity, avoiding the brooding drama that shadows other champions. His talent can make the extraordinary look routine.
This semifinal sets up a generational duel: one of the greatest of all time against a player on a similar trajectory. For Djokovic, it will be a test of endurance, court coverage, and how far his veteran savvy can carry him as he nears 40.
The Serbian’s tennis IQ remains undiminished, helping him maximize every ounce left in his body. Every challenger has been humbled so far. The question is whether Alcaraz will be the next — or the one who finally breaks through.
Djokovic–Alcaraz Head-to-Head
Djokovic leads their head-to-head 5–3. He’s won their last two matches on hard courts: the Olympic final and their Australian Open meeting.
Prediction
Alcaraz in five sets. Though Djokovic’s experience and recent H2H advantage cannot be ignored, Alcaraz’s form, fitness, and renewed focus point toward a hard-fought five-set victory.
How to Watch Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz
This afternoon’s semifinal match between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz is expected to start at around 3:00 PM Eastern at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing, Queens.
The match will air live on ESPN, and it will stream live on the ESPN app and website.
If you’re a cord-cutter without an active livestreaming plan or stuck in an office somewhere without access to your home network, you can watch ESPN for free by taking advantage of free trials from DIRECTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo TV, or YouTube TV.
YouTube TV even offers a 20-minute free preview, without having to register for a trial — if you just want to catch part of the match.
Djokovic vs. Alcaraz
Date: Friday, September 5, 2025
Start Time: 3:00 PM Eastern
Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing, NY
Court: Arthur Ashe Stadium
TV: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app and website
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