Novak Djokovic was encouraged by his journey to the Australian Open final and promised to keep fighting at the Grand Slams after Carlos Alcaraz foiled his goal for a record 25th major championship.

Djokovic’s 10-match unbeaten streak in Melbourne Park finals was snapped in the 11th round on Sunday, as Alcaraz defeated him 2-6 6-2 6-3 7-5 on Rod Laver Arena.

After back-to-back deciders at Wimbledon in 2023-24, world number one Alcaraz has now prevented him from breaking Margaret Court’s all-time Grand Slam record of three major finals.

Despite the disappointment of losing the title match, the 38-year-old expressed satisfaction with his tournament performance.”It’s difficult to maintain a positive attitude after a match as a competitor who doesn’t want to lose,” he explained to reporters.You don’t enjoy losing. “That is the kind of feeling.”I beat Jannik (Sinner), who is the double-defending champion here and has won the last four or five matches against me, in five sets, which I am really happy of. “What an incredible match and achievement.”But you’re speaking to me ten minutes after I lost the final, so I’m going to be a little sour.

“But, again, I lost to a number one in the world and already a legendary player.”

After winning the first set, Djokovic admitted to losing stamina in the second and third, but declined to elaborate, citing a desire not to detract from Alcaraz’s accomplishment.

He regretted not converting a break point at 4-4 in the fourth set with a misfired forehand, despite recovering late in the match with the support of the crowd.I took a thorough look at the forehand. “Yes, my forehand broke down in critical moments,” he admitted.

“That is what occurs. “One or two shots can shift the match’s momentum.””I have a lot of what-if scenarios in my head.”

As courageous as Djokovic’s effort was, he may never have had a better chance to win another major title.

He received a walk-over in the fourth round and was two sets down in the quarterfinals when opponent Lorenzo Musetti retired injured.

During his runner-up speech, he expressed his surprise at attending another Grand Slam trophy presentation.I believe, and I have always had the confidence and vision to win a Slam, any Slam, anyplace I play, but I did not expect this. “That is different,” he added later.

He jokingly acknowledged that Alcaraz and Italian Sinner would still be obstacles to his major league success.The two of them, I suppose, will compete for the major trophies, and then young people like me will strive to catch up.”