Jan 26, 2024 at 10:55 AM Update: 11 hours ago
Novak Djokovic is shocked by his level in the semi-final battle of the Australian Open. The world number one lost without a chance to Jannik Sinner on Friday and must put his eleventh Australian Open title out of his mind for the time being.
“Sinner completely surpassed me,” Djokovic said at a press conference afterwards. “I was shocked by my level. This was, as far as I can remember, one of my worst matches ever at a Grand Slam tournament.”
The 36-year-old Djokovic lost in four sets to an unleashed Sinner and took only three games in the first two sets: 1-6, 2-6, 7-6 (6), 3-6. “He did everything better today,” the Serbian said about the play of the Italian number four in the world. Djokovic lost a match in Melbourne for the first time in 2,195 days.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner looks back on his Australian Open with mixed feelings after missing out on the final. In preparation for the tournament he was plagued by a wrist injury.
“I didn’t play my best tennis here, which I have often shown here. I wasn’t myself on the court,” Djokovic said. “You can say that reaching the semi-finals is a good result, but I don’t see it that way. I always expect the best of myself.”
Thanks to his victory over Djokovic, the 22-year-old Sinner is in an illustrious list with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer: the only players who have defeated the Serbian at a Grand Slam, in the Davis Cup and at the ATP Finals. “On Sunday I will play my first final. Let’s see how it goes. I am really happy, I come here with a smile and try to do my utmost,” he said afterwards.
Sinner meets Medvedev in the final
Daniil Medvedev is Jannik Sinner’s opponent in the final. The Russian was just too strong for the German Alexander Zverev in a long five-setter: 5-7, 3-6, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5) and 6-3.
