01/02/2026

SPORTS 13 theSun on Sunday FEB 1, 2026

Sinner hurting but unsurprised by exit

24 Grand Slams,“ Sinner said. “We know each other very well, how we play. I’m never surprised by (his level) because I feel like he’s been the greatest player for many, many years. “Of course, he’s playing less tournaments because of his age and everything, but we also know how important Grand Slams are for me, for him, and everyone. “He played great tennis. Hopefully I can take away some kind of a lesson to see what I can improve on.” Sinner held eight break points in the deciding set but Djokovic saved them all. “He came up with some great shots,“ said Sinner. “Most of the time he served very

JANNIK SINNER said he was hurting but not surprised after having his lengthy reign at Melbourne Park ended by 10 times champion Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open semifinals on Friday. The double defending champion was locked in a bat tle of wills with Djokovic over five thrilling sets before suffer ing his first loss at the tourna ment since being beaten by Stefanos Tsitsipas in the fourth round in 2023. “It was a very important slam for me, of course, (but) it can happen,“ the 24-year-old Italian told reporters. “It was a good match from both of us. I had many chances. Couldn’t use them, and that’s the outcome. Yeah, it hurts, for sure.” Sinner had beaten Djokovic in

‘Did you say something?’

well, you also have to say that. I had my chances. I

each of their previ ous five meetings but was not sur prised with the quality of the tennis the 38 year-old Serbian was able to pro duce on Rod Laver Arena. “He’ s won

was in the ral lies a couple of times. “I missed the shots, and it can happen. That’s tennis, and

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacts during his Australian Open semifinal against Italy’s Jannik Sinner at Melbourne Park on Friday. – REUTERSPIC

that’s how tennis works. But you have to give him a lot of credit for how he played today.” – Reuters

Djokovic’s four-word response reveals motivation behind epic Australian Open run

NOVAK DJOKOVIC seemingly hit back at his critics on Friday, with a subtle message in the aftermath of his Australian Open win against Jannik Sinner. Djokovic twice fought from a set down to overcome Sinner in a five-set thriller in Melbourne, knocking out the 2024 and 2025 champion in just over four hours. With that, Djokovic reached today’s final, where Carlos Alcaraz awaits. World No. 1 Alcaraz will bid to become the youngest male player to win the career grand slam, at the age of just 22, while Djokovic is also seeking history. The Serb, 38, is eyeing a 25th slam title, which would make him the most-successful player in the history of men’s and women’s ten nis. A victory over Alcaraz would also extend Djokovic’s record number of Australian Open sin gles titles, which currently stands at 10. In the moments after his win against Sinner, 24, Djokovic wrote on a camera lens on Rod Laver arena – a customary move for most players at most tourna ments. However, while most play ers sign their names, Djokovic took the opportunity to send a message. Nesto ste rekli ? he wrote in Serbian, which translates to: “Did you say something?” The message has been inter preted as a response to his Djokovic’s critics, whom he later

what’s expected of me on the court, and I came out with the right, great clarity and strat egy and gameplan and what needs to be executed. “Obviously easier said than done. You know, one thing is to imagine

addressed during a post-match press conference. “I never stopped believing in myself, you know,” said Djokovic. “There’s a lot of people that doubt me. I see there is a lot of experts all of a sudden that wanted to retire me – or have retired me many times the last couple of years. “I want to thank them all, because they gave me strength. They gave me motivation to prove them wrong, which I have tonight. For me, it’s not a surprise, to be honest. I know what I’m capable of. So, I’ve had many, many times in my career matches during a grand slam where it’s just one of those days where you’re not feel ing your best. “You try to find a way to win with everything that you possibly have, even though the quality of tennis is not even close to where you want it to be. So that was the case, you know?” Djokovic specifically addressed the fact that he had significantly raised his level on Friday, having survived a major scare in his quarterfinal with Lorenzo Musetti. Djokovic trailed Musetti by two sets to love on Wednesday when the Italian withdrew due to injury, with Djokovic up a break in the third set. “Again, I was lucky that obvi ously Lorenzo got hurt and retired that match,” Djokovic said on Friday. “Two days later, obviously different opponent. I knew exactly

how you want to play, and the other thing is to deliver it and execute it on the court against

Sinner, (who) we all know is playing an extremely high level. I mean, I’m just thrilled to be able to experience something like this tonight.”

Djokovic is 0-2 against Alcaraz in grand-slam finals, hav

ing suffered defeats by the Spaniard at Wimbledon in 2023 and 2024. However, Djokovic beat Alcaraz in the quarterfinals of last year’s Australian Open, and the Serb has never lost a final at the tournament. Djokovic’s semifinal win on Friday followed Alcaraz’s own, in which the world No. 1 blew a two-set lead but over came Alex Zverev in five sets – and five-and-a-half hours. – The Independent

Jannic Sinner in action during the semifinal match. – AFPPIC