"I feel like he's... you know, the greatest player for many, many years": Jannik Sinner not shocked at sudden Djokovic revival
ATP
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.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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