Novak Djokovic faces Jannik Sinner, a familiar problem in pursuit as undisputed GOAT
Time and tide wait for no man. Novak Djokovic knows that better than most as he prepares to face the defending champion, Jannik Sinner, in the Australian Open semifinal on Friday, January 30.
The relentless drive and a timely slice of fortune gave him yet another shot at greatness, but now it meets an unavoidable truth. At 38, his greatest opponent may not be the opponent he faces on the field, but rather his own body, tested against a rival who is deep in his athletic prime.
That may yet be required again. The Australian Open has historically been his most successful event, with 10 titles to his name. He may have had concerns in terms of performance, but considering he had the two walkovers, Jakub Mensik in the fourth round, and Lorenzo Musetti in the fifth after being two sets down to the Italian.
But he is up against a familiar foe, one that he has not been able to get the better of in recent times. In fact, the last time Djokovic beat Sinner was back in 2023 at the Nitto ATP finals. Since then, it has all been about Sinner, regardless of it being on hard courts, grass or clay. In those five games since, Novak has only once been able to force Sinner to play a fourth set. Such is the dominance the Italian has shown over the modern-day great.
A CHIP ON DJOKER’S SHOULDERS
Following his win over Musetti, reporters may have ruffled his feathers when he was asked about potentially finding himself chasing Sincaraz.
“I find it a little bit disrespectful that you miss what happened in between,” Djokovic said at the post-match press conference.
“There’s probably about a 15-year period where I was dominating the grand slams, so I think it’s important to put that in perspective. I don’t feel like I’m chasing, to be honest”.
“Roger and Rafa will always be my greatest rivals. I have tremendous respect for what Jannik and Carlos are doing are they better right now than all the other guys? Yes, they are. The quality and level are amazing. It’s great, it’s phenomenal.
“But does that mean that I walk out with a white flag? No. I’m going to fight until the last shot, until the last point, and do my very best to challenge them,” he added.
Deeming it to be disrespectful considering the oversight when it comes to the Serb’s achievements, it could be the perfect catalyst to light the fire that might have been missing of late.
THE SINNER POV
It hasn’t been smooth sailing for Jannik Sinner by any means. In fact, he had his own slice of good fortune during the third round against Eliot Spizzirri.
After going down with cramps in the third set, the Extreme Heat Policy came into play, giving him the delay needed to catch his breath and regain momentum to come back into the contest.
Now, he holds a 19-match winning streak at Melbourne following his quarterfinal win over Ben Shelton. But the Italian admits that facing someone of the calibre that Djokovic possesses does indeed change you as a player.
“It improves you as a player and a person,” Sinner said of his matches against Djokovic.
“We’re still lucky to have Novak here playing incredible tennis at his age.
“I’m lucky to have someone like him in front of my eyes, and I can hopefully learn something. I feel like every day, every time he plays, I can learn something about him.”
ALCARAZ vs ZVEREV – SOME UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Meanwhile, the other semifinal clash has a case of ambition and some unfinished business. Carlos Alcaraz has his sights set on being the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam at the age of 22.
But up against him stands Alexander Zverev with three losses in Slam finals and the hunger to break the deadlock and get his first major title. The rivalry is also one to feast the eyes, considering the two have six wins apiece.
The question is now who comes out on top
– Ends
