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Tennis icon Novak Djokovic gave fans full warning of his retirement plans following a previous Grand Slam meeting with Jannik Sinner. And the Serb has suggested he isn't going anywhere just yet.

'Nole' got the better of Sinner on Friday to set up an Australian Open final showdown against Carlos Alcaraz. The first major trophy of the year could see Alcaraz complete the calendar Grand Slam, or Djokovic could tighten his grip as Melbourne's most prolific champion of all time. It's the latest indicator yet that Djokovic hasn't been consigned to the refuse heap just yet. And it was following a previous win over Sinner at Wimbledon that the tennis great gave a defiant message regarding his retirement plans.

"I would be sad [if it was my last], but hopefully it's not my last match on Centre Court," he said following last year's Wimbledon semi-final loss to the Italian. "I'm not planning to finish my Wimbledon career today. I'm planning to come back, definitely, at least one more time."

Djokovic came off a distant second-best to Sinner in that showdown, losing 3-6, 3-6, 4-6 in a one-sided encounter. However, he rediscovered his groove Down Under this weekend as he blazed back from behind to win over five sets.

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Djokovic has been dogged by questions regarding his long-term future at the elite level for several years now. At 38, many are expecting the icon to follow former 'Big Three' rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer into retirement in the very near future.

However, Djokovic's first Grand Slam final in more than a year suggests he's not ready to give up competing at the very top of tennis just yet.The veteran's last appearance in a major decider came at Wimbledon 2024, where he succumbed to Sinner in straight sets.

Friday's fixture couldn't have been more different. Djokovic never looked quite out of the running and he turned the screw to emerge triumphant at a venue that's become synonymous with his success.

Nevertheless, he faces a Herculean task in attempting to block Alcaraz from taking the throne on Sunday. The Spaniard has advanced to the Australian Open final for the first time in his career and hopes to complete the set of Grand Slam titles with victory on Sunday.

That's compared to Djokovic, who is targeting a record-extending 11th Australian Open title this weekend. No player has won more major trophies Down Under, and he'll look to put that expertise to good use at least once more in the hopes of adding a 25th Grand Slam gong to his collection.

Victory at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday would send yet another reminder that Djokovic isn't destined to hang up his racket just yet. However, a win for Alcaraz could be considered a changing of the guard, suggesting the last remaining member of tennis' golden era is ready to ride into the sunset.