As Novak Djokovic turned his attention to his latest showdown with Jannik Sinner, he heard some news that would ultimately shake up this Australian Open. In his post-match press conference following his quarterfinal match against Lorenzo Musetti, Djokovic admitted he was preparing to go home before the Italian retired from the match in two sets, angered by the wording of a question that asked him to compare what it felt like to “chased” Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal early in his career to how he feels now when Carlos Alcaraz and Sinner dominate.
Djokovic paused. He said the wording of the question was “disrespectful” and ignored his decade as a leading force. Suddenly, fire ignited in his eyes. “I will fight until the last shot, until the last point, and try my best to challenge them,” Djokovic said.
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Two nights later, at around 2 a.m. in Melbourne, Djokovic rose to the challenge with a classic performance and beat Australian Open champion Sinner 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in four hours and nine minutes for one of his career victories. Djokovic has lost five straight games to Sinner and, after losing two sets to compatriot Musetti on Wednesday, appears to be well away from the power needed to overturn the longest pre-match odds he has ever faced. Djokovic didn’t wave the white flag, though.
Djokovic ends five-game losing streak against Sinner in semifinals (Getty Images)
At 38, Djokovic became the oldest finalist in the history of the Australian Open when he faces world number one Alcaraz on Sunday for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam singles title, 18 months after losing his last Grand Slam final to the Spaniard in straight sets at Wimbledon. Last season, Djokovic eliminated all four Grand Slam tournaments in the semi-finals. You may question why Djokovic still insists on pursuing No. 25. After being beaten by Alcaraz at the US Open in September, he admitted that Alcaraz and Sinner were “too good” and beating them in a best-of-five set would be “very, very difficult”.
But crucially, “it’s not impossible.”
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“I said they play on a different level, so I have to find that level,” Djokovic said on court. Ending the Alcaraz-Sina duopoly in Grand Slam finals and ending their run of three consecutive finals, Djokovic was left speechless and members of his team wept in the dugout. When Djokovic was asked if he had the ability to challenge the Grand Slam championship record, he replied: “To be honest, I feel like I’ve already won tonight.”
For the Serbian, his performance at this stage of the game was enough. Djokovic got a lucky break last week when his fourth-round opponent Jakub Mencic withdrew due to injury. He was “very lucky” at the time when Musetti suddenly retired two sets into the quarter-finals with a leg injury. This is an undeniable boost. As he explained in New York almost six months ago, to have a chance against the best in the world, Djokovic needs to stay fresh and ready to stay the course.
Djokovic kneels as he celebrates victory over Sinner (AFP via Getty Images)
He came back from two sets to one down as Sinner went on to win 20 straight games at the tournament. Early in the third set, Djokovic was so breathless between points that he covered his face with a towel at one point. Yet Djokovic never let Sinner out of his sight. His serve was as accurate and precise as ever. His forehand speed has improved dramatically, reminiscent of his performance three years ago when he won his 10th Australian Open title. The key to the victory was Djokovic’s resistance to break points, saving 16 of the 18 break points he faced. “He has won the last five games against me. He has my number, so tonight I had to change my number,” Djokovic said. He became bigger than before.
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Now, in Sunday’s final, awaits an opponent who is also on the cusp of his own epic history. Alcaraz advanced to his first final after beating third seed Alexander Zverev in five hours and 27 minutes in the historic men’s semifinal at Melbourne Park, the third longest match in the tournament’s history. The Spaniard is targeting a career Grand Slam against Djokovic and a chance to become the youngest ever to complete the set. However, the 22-year-old struggled physically before fighting back and needed to recover from his own marathon run.
Alcaraz won two Grand Slam finals at Wimbledon. However, in the 2024 Olympic final, Djokovic produced a superb performance to defeat Alcaraz to win the elusive gold medal in Paris. As it turns out, this wasn’t his last stand after all. “I have to come back in a few days and fight the No. 1 opponent in the world,” said Djokovic, who had never lost in 10 previous Australian Open finals. “I just hope I’m strong enough to fight him head-on, that’s my wish, and then let the gods decide the winner.”