Friday delievered an unquestionable epic at the Australian Open, as 38-year-old Novak Djokovic took down Jannik Sinner, the second-ranked player in the world and one 14 years his junior, in a four-hour semifinal match, 3–6, 6–3, 4–6, 6–4, 6–4. Djokovic advances to the men’s final for the first time since 2023, his last tournament win in Melbourne, where he will face top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz.
Djokovic was asked what the moment was like for him following the match. Clearly overcome with emotion (and still trying to catch his breath after a marathon match), Djokovic needed about 40 seconds to begin to come up with an answer to the question, looking around the packed Rod Laver Arena as fans at the Australian Open chanted his name. He would later call it the “best night support-wise I’ve ever had in Australia,” high praise for the 10-time tournament champion.
