MELBOURNE, Australia — In a breathtaking display of resilience and championship pedigree, Novak Djokovic staged a monumental comeback against Jannik Sinner in a semifinal clash that concluded in the early hours of Saturday morning. The Serbian tennis legend, seeded fourth, overturned a deficit to secure a 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 victory after an intense four-hour, nine-minute battle on Rod Laver Arena.
The victory, sealed at 1:32 am local time, propels the 38-year-old into a highly anticipated final showdown against top-seeded Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz. A triumph on Sunday would not only deliver Djokovic an unprecedented 11th Australian Open title but also break the all-time record with a 25th Grand Slam singles crown, moving him clear of Australia’s Margaret Court, who was present in the stadium to witness the semifinal epic.
Reflecting on what he described as one of his finest performances in the last decade, an emotional Djokovic expressed surreal feelings after ending a five-match losing streak against the 24-year-old Italian. ‘I have tremendous respect for him. He’s an incredible player who pushes you to the very limit, which is exactly what he did tonight,’ Djokovic stated during his on-court interview.
The match represented a dramatic shift in momentum, with Sinner initially dominating through precise serving and powerful groundstrokes to claim the first set. Djokovic responded by elevating his game in the second set, showcasing his trademark defensive skills and tactical intelligence. The contest took another turn in the third set as Djokovic appeared to struggle physically, briefly clutching his chest before Sinner capitalized to move ahead.
Undeterred by the mounting pressure and his advancing years, Djokovic demonstrated why he remains the most successful player in Melbourne Park history. He broke early in the fourth set as the clock passed midnight and ultimately proved more clinical in the decisive fifth set, converting his third match point after Sinner had saved two previous opportunities.
The victory carried special significance for Djokovic, who acknowledged that doubts about his longevity had provided additional motivation. ‘I never stopped believing in myself despite many experts attempting to retire me in recent years,’ he remarked. ‘Their skepticism gave me strength to prove them wrong.’
Djokovic now faces the ultimate test against Alcaraz, a player 16 years his junior who has dominated men’s tennis alongside Sinner since Djokovic’s last Grand Slam victory at the 2023 US Open. The final presents what may be Djokovic’s most favorable opportunity to claim that historic 25th major, though his performance against Sinner suggests the Serbian champion remains firmly in his competitive prime.