Djokovic needs ‘significant’ change or else ‘Sinner will take him down’ – Expert preview
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Novak Djokovic needs to “let it all out” and “take a bit of a chance” if he is to have any hope of beating Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semi-finals, according to former coach Boris Becker.
Djokovic is a 10-time champion in Melbourne and is looking to win a record 25th Grand Slam title.
But he heads into Friday’s semi-final, live on TNT Sports and discovery+ from 8:30 UK time, as the underdog having lost his last five matches in a row against world No. 2 Sinner.
Djokovic has also only won one set in his last three Grand Slam meetings with Sinner.
“I would never bet against him, but playing Sinner is the toughest thing to do in Australia,” Becker, who helped Djokovic win six Grand Slam titles as his coach between 2013 and 2016, told TNT Sports.
“He has won two times in a row and Djokovic lost to him two years ago in the semis. But Novak has won the tournament 10 times; if there is one man that knows how to win the Australian Open it’s him.Â
Highlights: Djokovic survives huge scare to reach semis as Musetti retires when leading
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“The only reason Djokovic plays tennis is to win Grand Slams, to get to that 25 and get to that 11 in Australia. He has done everything else in tennis. He will push himself as much as he can.”
Djokovic has not impressed so far in Melbourne and admitted he was “lucky” to get through the quarter-finals after opponent Lorenzo Musetti retired with injury while leading by two-sets-to-love.Becker says Djokovic will have to take the game to Sinner and thinks a longer match could even suit the 38-year-old after Sinner had physical issues in the third round.
“Let it all out,” urged Becker. “If you hope that Sinner will give it to you, then you are mistaken.
“You have to be the first one that goes for the corners, you have to decide the tempo of the match and control the centre of the court and get your free points on the first serve.Â
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“Take a bit of a chance on Sinner’s second serve, and also Sinner struggled physically a few days ago, so once you get to the three-hour mark, I don’t think it’s a disadvantage for Djokovic, even though he is much older.
“The longer he can stay in the match, the higher the chance he can win.”
As well as the form book counting against Djokovic, the fact that he struggled with a blister on his foot in the quarter-finals could also be an issue.
Djokovic was seen grimacing as he received treatment for the blister after losing the second set against Musetti.
The Australian Open is Djokovic’s first tournament since early November and Becker says his lack of match practice could be an issue.
“You don’t get match fit in practice even if you are Novak Djokovic,” he said.
“You can see that with the blisters on his foot, you get blisters by not having enough calluses on your feet, and you get calluses by playing a lot of matches.
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“He has to play better tennis and it starts with the foot. The physio and the doctors have to do the best job of putting on enough protection so he can run, and then he has to let it all out.
“If he holds back and is too defensive and tentative, then Sinner will crush him. If he goes in thinking of the best Djokovic that has played in Melbourne, then he has a chance.”
‘Step too far’ for DjokovicDjokovic has said he will “fight until the last shot” and will not “wave the white flag” in his quest to win a record 25th major.He should be relatively fresh ahead of the semi-final as he didn’t play in the fourth round following Jakub Mensik’s withdrawal and was then on court for just two hours against Musetti.
However, TNT Sports expert Tim Henman doesn’t see him upsetting Sinner.
“Yes, he has a blister, but he hasn’t played a great deal of tennis so you’d think his energy levels are the best they have been in the last 12 months at the Slams,” said Henman.
Highlights: Sensational Sinner beats Shelton to line up Djokovic semi-final
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However, his level of play has been very average and unless that changes significantly, I think Sinner takes him down.
“I think it’s a step too far. I don’t think Djokovic is playing at the same level at the moment and Sinner will definitely come out on top.”
Sinner has dropped just one set so far in Melbourne and hasn’t lost a match at the tournament since 2023.
Former world No. 9 Coco Vandeweghe said on TNT Sports that Sinner’s all-round level makes it a “difficult task” to challenge him.
“Sinner does everything that Djokovic does well, but he has about 10 years junior on him so that helps,” Vandeweghe said.
“He has improved his serve to make it such a weapon, but from the back of the court he is so rock solid, it’s almost robotic the way he is able to manoeuvre through rallies and not give up much space on the baseline. That makes it such a difficult task for anyone.”
The other men’s semi-final sees world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz take on third Alexander Zverev.
The match will be played at around 3:30 UK time on Friday, also live and on-demand on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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Stream every match of the 2026 Australian Open live and on-demand on discovery+