Novak Djokovic, visibly stunned, acknowledged his loss to Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semi-finals as one of his poorest performances in a Grand Slam match. The World No. 1, who hadn’t been defeated in Melbourne since 2018, succumbed to a comprehensive 6-1, 6-2, 6-7, 6-3 defeat, marking the end of his 33-match winning streak at the tournament.
Djokovic, aged 36, admitted to his shock at the level of his play, expressing dissatisfaction with his performance in the initial sets. He praised Sinner for outplaying him in every aspect of the game, acknowledging it as one of his worst Grand Slam matches. Despite his defeat, Djokovic emphasized Sinner’s deserving victory and congratulated him on reaching the finals.
Reflecting on his overall state during the tournament, Djokovic revealed that he didn’t feel like himself and dismissed the loss as the “beginning of the end.” He highlighted his optimism for upcoming events such as other Grand Slams, the Olympics, and other tournaments later in the season. Djokovic acknowledged that this tournament fell short of his usual standards, considering his history of starting seasons with Grand Slam victories.
Sinner, who secured his place in his first Grand Slam final, attributed his confidence to beating Djokovic twice in the ATP Finals and Davis Cup at the end of the previous season. He emphasized the difference between practicing with Djokovic and facing him in a match, crediting his mental approach and game plan for the successful outcome in the semi-final.
In conclusion, Djokovic acknowledged the disappointment of his performance but remained optimistic about his prospects for the rest of the season, while Sinner expressed the significance of gaining confidence from previous encounters with the World No. 1.
