04/02/2026

SPORTS WEDNESDAY | FEB 4, 2026

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Ű BY ELEANOR CROOKS

N OVAK DJOKOVIC juggled contrasting emotions as he reflected on a tantalising Australian Open near miss. At 38, Djokovic produced one of his great per formances to beat two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner in the semifinals only to come up just short against Carlos Alcaraz in a 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 defeat. The chase for a record-breaking 25th grand slam title has fuelled Djokovic over the past cou ple of years but his last major victory remains at the US Open in 2023. He will be 39 by the time the next slam comes around at the French Open and, while this tour nament was certainly a step forward, the luck he had, particularly when

Bittersweet feeling for Djokovic

expectations the last couple of years, which also, I think, allows me to be able to let go of some of that unnecessary additional stress. It’s always tension and stress and pressure, and I just don’t want to be overwhelmed by it. “It also feels good a little bit not being always the main favourite to win slams. I think that kind of gives you a little bit of that extra motivation, I guess, when it comes down to the last rounds of the slam. “I managed to beat Jannik, who is double defending champion here and won the last four, five matches against me, in five sets, very proud of that. Incredible match, incredible achievement. “It’s an incredible achievement for me to be able to play finals, be a couple of sets away, maybe to win a championship. Of course, after a loss, it’s a bitter feeling but, nevertheless, I have to be con tent with this result.” Djokovic finds himself now in the position so many challengers faced against him, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, when beating one great just meant another one arriving in your path. That trio can scarcely have imagined that a player would come along so soon and not just match their achievements but surpass them, with Alcaraz the youngest man ever to win the career Grand Slam of all four major titles. “The results are a testament to his already stellar career,” said Djokovic, who had won only a single slam title at the same age as 22-year-old Alcaraz. “I can’t think of any other superlatives about him. He deserves every bit of the praise that he gets from his peers, but also the whole tennis community. “He’s a very nice young man. Good values, nice family. Of course, already a legendary tennis player that made a huge mark in the history books of tennis, with only 22 years of age. It’s super impressive, no doubt about it. “He has improved physically, mentally, game wise. He’s constantly looking to innovate himself and his game, which is exactly the kind of mental ity that needs to be nurtured for a champion.” – The Independent Sabalenka praised Rybakina. “I did my best and today she was a better player,” Sabalenka said. Perhaps humility and acceptance is easier to find when there is a clear match-up problem, as Rybakina won her second match in a row against Sabalenka to back up her victory against the No. 1 at last season’s WTA Finals. As competitors, there is clear respect between Sabalenka and Rybakina. Since they met in the Australian Open final three years ago, the Russian born Kazakh has finally reemerged as a force. Using the WTA Finals as a springboard, the for mer Wimbledon champion has won 20 of her last 21 tour-level matches and 10 in a row against top 10 players. Three-and-a-half years since her tri umph on Centre Court, she returns as a grand slam champion. Rybakina’s celebration on championship point was typically understated, the 26-year-old remain ing an enigma who combines her destructive game with such a cool demeanour. After a fast start to the final and a deserved opening set, she looked out of it when Sabalenka broke ahead in the decider. In her box, coach Stefano Vukov demanded more energy. Rybakina replied with her biggest hitting and serving. She is one of the few players who can take the racket out of Sabalenka’s hand. “I think that definitely she has more confidence, and she goes for her shots without any doubt,” Sabalenka said. “I still had opportunities, but the level (from her) was incredible. “I feel like she just plays more aggressive. She was able to build great confidence starting from the finals. Definitely a better player.” – The Independent

quarterfinal Lorenzo Musetti pulled out injured at two sets up, cannot be forgot ten and he knows his opportunities are dwin dling. “I have belief and I

Serb reflects on near miss Down Under after reaching first major final since 2024

have always confi dence and vision to win a slam, another

Djokovic speaks after receiving the runner-up shield following his defeat to Alcaraz in the Australian Open final in Melbourne on Feb 1. – REUTERSPIC

slam any

where,

to

win any where where I play, but I did not expect it,” said the Serbian. “That’s different. I lowered my

Ű BY JAMIE BRAIDWOOD

Sabalenka vowed there would be no repeat on her return to the Melbourne final, but another third set slipped from her grasp. “She made some winners. I made couple of unforced errors,” said Sabalenka. A forehand into the net from mid-court, to hand the second break, was key. “Of course, I have regrets. When you lead 3 0, and then it felt like in few seconds it was 3-4 and I was down with a break. So it was very fast. “Great tennis from her. Maybe not so smart for me, but as I say, today I’m a loser, maybe tomorrow I’m a winner.

Defeat highlights Sabalenka’s inability to carry aura into slam finals

THE positive for Aryna Sabalenka is that she is get ting better at losing. The negative for the sport’s dominant No. 1 is obviously implied – and the defeats in grand slam finals aren’t getting any eas ier, either. “It’s tennis: today you are a loser, tomorrow you are a winner,” Sabalenka reasoned. As Elena Rybakina overturned Sabalenka’s third-set lead, battling from 3-0 down in the deci der to win the next five games and serve for the Australian Open title, the Belarusian’s latest defeat in a grand slam final continued a pattern. Sabalenka’s consistency in reaching grand slam finals is undeniable. Four in a row at the Australian Open and three in a row at the US Open, making it seven consecutive finals at the hard-court slams, is a generational achievement. Only two other players in the Open era, Steffi Graf and Martina Hingis, can match it. But her mixed record once getting there is unavoidable. In her eight grand slam final appearances, Sabalenka has four defeats to her four wins. Since rising to No. 1 in the world, this glaring vulnerability has also become more pronounced, losing three of her last four and now two in a row at the Australian Open following last year’s collapse against Madison Keys. A year ago, Sabalenka stormed off the court and smashed up her racket after losing to Keys in the deciding set. In June, at the French Open, Sabalenka’s defeat to Coco Gauff was marred by her comments in the post-match press conference room.

”Overall, it was much better than last year, the two finals I lost. Level wise and the decisions I was making and the way that the mentality was throughout the whole match. “I was still there, I was

ready to fight, I knew that she was not going to give it easily to me. So I think, overall, I made a

huge improvement on that, and I still lost it. But it’s okay. I feel like I’m moving towards the right direction.” Another striking difference from last year was in how

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka with the Australian Open runner-up trophy. – REUTERSPIC