Novak Djokovic was on a 33-match winning streak at the Australian Open. Simply unplayable in Melbourne since 2018, the Serbian lost heavily to Jannik Sinner this Friday January 26. A striking defeat, as heavy as it was surprising, which he himself considers as one of “ his worst Grand Slam matches “.
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Earthquake in Melbourne: world number one, Novak Djokovic, ten-time winner of the Australian Open, who had not lost a match there since 2018, was unceremoniously dismissed in the semi-final by world number 4, Jannik Sinner, this Friday January 26. “Djoko”, beaten 6-1, 6-2, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3, was seeking an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam coronation in Melbourne, at 36 years old. At 22, Sinner will play his very first major final on Sunday.
To take stock of what the young Italian achieved on the Rod Laver Arena, we must remember that Djokovic made the Australian Open his preserve, almost in the same proportions as Rafael Nadal who transformed Roland- Fortress Garros (14 titles). The Serbian remained on 33 matches won consecutively on the courts of Melbourne Park. The only exception: 2022, the year of his incredible expulsion from Australia, for lack of being vaccinated against Covid-19. Until then, each time he had reached the last four, the Serb had finished the Australian fortnight, the trophy in his hands.
Zero break point
He was looking for an eleventh triumph in Melbourne and shares, at least for a while longer, the absolute record with the Australian Margaret Court. Beyond the result, it is the manner that is striking. When after 73 minutes, Sinner led 6-1, 6-2, showing off his exceptional shot quality, and Djokovic, unrecognizable, as if anesthetized, with no obvious immediate explanation, you had to pinch yourself to believe it.
Certainly, the record holder for Grand Slam titles was not having his quietest Australian fortnight. Certainly, he remained in a grueling duel in the middle of the quarter-finals on Tuesday afternoon. But nothing suggested such a scenario, even less on the Rod Laver Arena, his favorite playground, even against Sinner, the only player to have been able to beat him after Wimbledon and until the end of the year 2023.
“ He completely dominated me todayanalyzed the surprise loser, hot. In a way, I was shocked by my level, in a bad way. There wasn’t much I did well in the first two sets. I think it’s one of the worst Grand Slam matches I’ve played. “.
Closer to the end than the beginning
On the verge of a defeat in three sets, faced with a match point at 6 points at 5 in the decisive game, Djokovic managed almost by miracle to extend the game. But once he counted a break in advance in the fourth set, Sinner, this time, had the last word, almost an hour after his first match point. In 3h22 min, Djokovic did not get a single break point.
Still an immense player, at 36 years old, Djokovic is closer to the end than the beginning of his career, which began in 2003. ” This city is very special to me, he blurted out. I just hope I get the chance to come back and play at least one more time “. Even if his body tires, which doesn’t seem to be the case, the champion’s pride should make him come back.