Many wondered if the greatest of all time Novak Djokovic had another magical Grand Slam run in him, and it turns out the 2026 Australian Open is it.
He defeated two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner, a player that had beaten him five straight times, in a five set epic match.
NOVAK. DJOKOVIC. pic.twitter.com/GfQU5wEWWv
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 30, 2026
Sinner started quickly and built a lead in the first set.
Some will point to Djokovic having a walkover and a retirement in two previous rounds as giving him fresh legs and fitness for the battle.
However, in the end, his serve and shotmaking gave fans deja vu emotions of a decade ago.
Sinner went down swinging, saving multiple match points, and he will kick himself for the double digit break opportunities he had in the fifth set. He did not convert any of them.
Fans who thought the first semifinal, a five hour plus showdown that Carlos Alcaraz gutted out could not be outdone, but in some ways, this semifinal did.
It involved the takedown of the defending champion and gives him the opportunity to vie for his 25th career Grand Slam.
He will face Alcaraz who is looking to make his own history by being the youngest man to win the Career Grand Slam.
Sinner is the best hardcourt player of this generation, but Djokovic showed him a little bit of the angst he has delivered to opponents in recent years.
Who Recovers Quicker: Novak Djokovic Or Carlos Alcaraz?
Tennis is sometimes a battle of physical and mental attrition, and today’s semifinals were a perfect example of that.
Djokovic’s win came an hour or so quicker than Alcaraz’s did.
However, it is well past midnight in Australia, and Djokovic’s next priority has to be recovery.
Physically, he had some ups and downs during the match, but overall, his form and fitness was the best we have seen at a Grand Slam in years.
After the match, Djokovic was at a loss for words and so are we after nearly 10 hours of exemplary men’s tennis at the 2026 Australian Open semifinals.
