The 24-times grand-slam singles champion Novak Djokovic may be 38 years old, but he proved against Jannik Sinner in this semi-final that he still has every inch of the class, tenacity and endurance that made him the greatest in his sport.
In the second phenomenal five-set semi-final on Friday, the ten-times Australian Open winner rolled back the years to beat the double defending champion, winning 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in four hours and nine minutes.
Djokovic — who had lost his last five matches against Sinner, including semi-finals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon last year — saved 16 of 18 break points against him in a match that reached astonishing levels.
Those lucky enough to witness this extraordinary victory on Rod Laver Arena lapped up every second of it, all too aware that the Serb’s career is coming towards its end. But he’s not done yet. Far from it. Not before he has a crack at winning his 11th Australian Open title against Carlos Alcaraz in the final on Sunday.
Djokovic falls to his knees in disbelief after a contest reminiscent of his performance against Nadal in the 2012 Australian Open final
IZHAR KHAN/AFP/GETTY
Victory would give him the outright lead in grand-slam singles titles, with 25, moving clear of Margaret Court, who stayed until 1.30am to watch the conclusion of this match.
A visibly stunned Djokovic said: “I am lost for words right now to be honest. It feels surreal, four hours, 2am, reminiscent of 2012, and that final against Rafa [when Djokovic won the longest Australian Open match in history against Rafa Nadal].
“The level of intensity against a quality of tennis that was really high — I knew that was my only chance to win tonight.
“He [Sinner] has won the last five against me, he had my mobile number so I had to change it tonight. I have tremendous respect for him, he pushed me to the very limit tonight.
A day of incredible semi-finals…
“I said it would be very difficult to beat these two [Sinner and Alcaraz], but not impossible, so here we are. I said they were on a different level, so I had to find that level.
“I’m an old man, I need to go early to sleep. I have to come back in a couple of days and fight the No1 in the world. I hope I have enough gas to go toe-to-toe.”
This was just the latest act of defiance in a career stacked with moments of glory, which should have never been achievable. He went toe-to-toe with the cleanest and fiercest ball-striker on tour in this semi-final and came out the other side victorious.
Djokovic will contest his first grand-slam final since Wimbledon in 2024 on Sunday
DAR YASIN/AP
Djokovic had admitted after a lucky escape in his quarter-final match that he was “on my way home”. The Serb was two sets to love down before his Italian opponent, Lorenzo Musetti, retired hurt.
This came after Djokovic had received a walkover in the fourth round because of an abdominal injury to Jakub Mensik. Alcaraz, his opponent in the final, not only spent five hours and 27 minutes on court in his semi-final, but was managing an adductor injury throughout.
Maybe, just maybe, the stars are aligning for Djokovic.
Novak Djokovic v Carlos Alcaraz
Australian Open final
Sunday, 8.30am
TV TNT Sports 1