“It was a very important Slam for me”: Jannik Sinner reflects on painful Aussie Open loss to Djokovic
ATPSaturday, 31 January 2026 at 00:00
Jannik Sinner lamented the painful semi-final defeat at the Australian Open against Novak Djokovic, after squandering a two sets to one lead. The 2-time defending champion lost the crown after 19 consecutive wins in Melbourne and will lose a significant number of points – which distances him in the race for the top of the rankings with Carlos Alcaraz.
The Italian faced the cameras quickly in the press conference following the 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 4-6, 4-6 defeat in more than four hours of battle. Djokovic took revenge after five consecutive losses against Sinner – including three Grand Slam semi-finals.
The world No. 2 lamented the painful loss despite the good level he exhibited. “It was a very important Slam for me, of course, knowing the background, and it can happen,” the 4-time Grand Slam champion said. “It was a good match from both of us, and yeah, I had many chances but couldn't use them, and that's the outcome. So, yeah, it's worse for sure.”
Djokovic did not come in with good sensations after the quarter-finals against Lorenzo Musetti – in which he advanced after the Italian retired following a two-set deficit. Although initially Sinner dominated this time, Djokovic gradually got into the rhythm of the match and pressed the accelerator in the final sets to secure the victory.
The Italian could not identify a moment in which he lost control of the match. “There is not one moment, to be honest. I had my chances. I was in the fifth set with many break points but couldn't use them,” the world No. 2 stated. “He came up with some great shots, and yeah, I mean, I decided sometimes a couple of different things today that didn't work. But that's how tennis is.”
Djokovic surprises with 38-year-old Grand Slam final return
For many, Djokovic's level was a surprise, returning to a Grand Slam final at 38 – the 38th of his career and 11th at the Australian Open. He did not come in with good sensations after the duel against Musetti, while his performance in Grand Slams had fallen short over the last two years whenever he faced Sinner or Alcaraz.
“I mean, I know he's won 24 Grand Slams, and we know each other very well, how we play,” Sinner analyzed. “I would not say I’m surprised. I feel like he's… you know, the greatest player for many, many years. Of course, he's playing fewer tournaments because of his age and everything, but we also know how important Grand Slams are for me, for him, for Carlos, and everyone.”
"Every match is different"
Sinner had won the last five direct encounters against Djokovic – leading the H2H 6-5 before this Friday’s semi-final. However, for Sinner, previous results mattered little when facing a match. “Every match is different. You cannot compare any match. For example, the Roland Garros win was different. Here was different again. So, yeah, you cannot compare.”
Curiously, Sinner was superior in all the match statistics but could not secure the victory. He had a 75% first-serve rate, winning 80% of them, while Nole reached a 70% first-serve, winning 71% of those. The Italian scored 26 aces against Nole’s 12, surpassed him in winners (72 versus 46), had more points on return (33% versus 26%), and more total points won (152 versus 140).
The Italian perceived during the match that he had better numbers than his rival, although it matters little if in the end he comes out with a defeat. “Yeah, I mean, especially in that I was holding a little bit easier, and he was struggling a bit to hold. There were many breakpoints, and yeah, I kind of knew that I made more points than him. But at the same time, it's quite irrelevant if we see the score.”
Ranking implications after Australian Open semi-final
The Italian leaves the tournament with 10,300 points – after defending only 800 of the 2,000 he had from last year’s title. For now, he is 2,650 points behind Alcaraz (12,950), while if the Spaniard wins the title, he could reach 13,650 – more than 3,300 points ahead of Sinner.
In any case, in the coming months Sinner can only add points, as in 2025 he was out of the courts between February and May. He has four upcoming Masters 1000 tournaments where he can only earn points, as well as probably one or two extra ATP 500 tournaments that will give him the chance to challenge for the top of the rankings again in a few weeks.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- "It’s difficult to say we don’t agree” Correction: It’s difficult to say [ I ] don’t agree. While she is an intelligent and well educated person, she may not be all that aware of certain character flaws. Perhaps a psychologist or ten might be of some help?
- Sabalenka should ignore that nonsense and continue doing what she does. The sport of tennis has been corrupted by the American government. And America is the most racist country on earth. It is clear that some players are being targeted for discrimination based on their nationality. Screaming hasn't just start in tennis. Sharapova, Serena, etc. always did scream and nothing was said. You cannot control ignorance.
- If she wants privacy, then she should quit tennis. The same thing happened to Sabalenka at the US Open after she loss the final, and no one was talking about privacy. Instead they criticized Sabalenka. Anyone who knows Gauff is well aware that she is a sore loser and cannot control her anger after a loss. You cannot tell someone where to place their cameras. She needs to separate herself from her parents and GROW UP. She is 21 years old.
- Coco is a sore loser. She does that all the time. At least now, she goes behind closed doors, instead of interrupting the matches with her meltdown. The same thing happened to Sabalenka at the US Open. The only difference is, Sabalenka knows how to handle things like an adult. Gauff on the other hand needs to GROW UP. She is 21 and she needs to act like it. There is no way you can play a sport and cannot stand to lose.
- No one is interested in seeing her. She is not going to do anything but cheat a younger player out of a wildcard and lose in the first round. If their lives is that miserable and they want to return, let them go thru qualifications like everyone else.
- She never ever screams in practice. Not ever.
- I'm amazed at the freedom cameras have on courts as well. In the past, cross-court cameras were vividly showing what amounted to "upskirts" as women sat on their respective benches. The players resorted to placing towels between or over their legs. A practice still in play today. Same with camera's habits of basically zooming-in on down-blouse shots. That seems to have lessened; at least no more zooming-in as they bend forward prepping to face an opponent's serve. In addition, the invasion of privacy during medical treatment on-court is absurd. As are the in-your-face close-ups of players at their bench. If I were seeking a moment to concentrate or simply relax between games I'd trash that camera in a nanosecond.
- Talking about that situation with the American Dictator is one thing. Taking action is another. When is both the ATP and WTA is going to hand down punishment to the American athletes like they did with the Russians and Belarusians?, They took no time mixing sports with politics when it came to Ukraine. Right now, it is showing that the sport of tennis is actually controlled by the American Government. That is why there is so much Corruption going on.
- PLACED IN THE SEMIS IS RIGHT. BECAUSE UNLIKE ALL THE OTHER PLAYERS, PEGULA IS NEVER GIVEN ANY QUALITY OPPONENTS IN HER SECTION OF THE DRAW. THEREFORE IT HELPS HER TO GO DEEP INTO THE DRAWS. BY THE TIME SHE MEETS UP WITH A QUALITY OPPONENT, HER OPPONENT IS EXHAUSTED FROM THE PREVIOUS MATCH. IT IS CALLED DRAW FIXING. AND THAT AMERICAN BACK WTA IS FULL OF CORRUPTION. AND HAS RUINED WOMEN TENNIS. PEGULA DOESN'T EVEN HAVE THE BODY BUILD TO LIFT A TROPHY. THEREFORE THEY DO WHAT AMERICANS DO BEST. IF YOU CANNOT EARN IT, CHEAT AND STEAL IT.
- THERE IS NOTHING TO TELL HER. AS USUAL, THE DRAWS WERE DESIGNED TO HELP PEGULA LIFT THE TROPHY. UNLIKE, EVERYONE ELSE ALL PEGULA OPPONENTS CAME OFF OUT OF THE JUNIOR SECTION.
Loading