Djokovic defeats Sinner in five sets, Alcaraz advances to Australian Open final

Djokovic appeared to hit back at his critics on Friday, sending a subtle message following his victory over Sinner at the Australian Open.

Djokovic wrote on the cameras at Rod Laver Arena in the moments after his victory over Sinner – a customary move for most players in most tournaments. However, while most players were signing autographs, Djokovic took the opportunity to send a message.

“Nesto ste rekli?” he wrote in Serbian, which translates to: “Did you say something?”

The message was interpreted as a response to Djokovic’s critics, who he later addressed in his post-match press conference.

Today, as Djokovic awaits his semifinal matchup with Sinner, the Serbian took a moment to chat with Alcaraz backstage.

As Alcaraz calmed down on the cycling machine, cameras captured Djokovic walking over to shake hands with the Spaniard and his teammates.

Although Djokovic’s voice was inaudible, he was seen patting Alcaraz on the back as he walked away, making the youngster laugh.

There was little time for laughter on Sunday on the field!

Speaking of statistics, this one was absolutely crucial to Djokovic’s victory today:

The 38-year-old saved 16 of the 18 break points he faced.

It was an amazing display of resilience.

He will certainly face similar adversity against Alcaraz. Can he still be so defiant on Sunday?

Djokovic: “You know, I never stopped believing in myself. There were a lot of people who doubted me. I saw a lot of experts suddenly wanting to retire me – or have retired me multiple times over the past few years.

“I want to thank all of them because they gave me strength. They gave me motivation to prove them wrong and I had that motivation tonight.”

“Honestly, for me, it’s not a surprise. I know what I’m capable of. So, I’ve had many, many times in my career playing in the Grand Slams where it’s just one of those days where you don’t feel good.

“You try to find a way to win with everything you possibly have, even if the quality of the tennis isn’t even where you want it to be. So that’s what it is, you know? Again, I was lucky, obviously Lorenzo got injured in that match and retired.

“Two days later the opponent was obviously different. I knew exactly what was expected of me on the field and I came up with the right, very clear strategy and game plan and what needed to be executed.

“Obviously it’s easier said than done. You know, one thing is visualizing how you want to play and the other thing is delivering it and executing it on the court against Sinner, [who] We all know that is playing at an extremely high level.

“I mean, I’m glad I got to experience something like this tonight.”

Djokovic: “I don’t know. Let’s see. You know, it’s almost 3 o’clock in the morning… Yeah, let’s see.”

“I can’t make any predictions right now. Definitely not training tomorrow, just taking as much time as possible to recover.

“Hopefully I go out on finals day feeling refreshed.”

Djokovic told the media: “For me, and I think obviously for Carlos too, because of his age and everything he has achieved so far, history is dangerous for both of us every time we play.

“A Grand Slam final, you know, there’s a lot at stake, but it’s no different than any other major tournament I’ve been in. My preparation was as good as it should be, and I beat him here last year, you know, in a tough match as well. [in the quarter-finals].

“Let’s see how fresh we both can be. He’s had a big game, too, but he’s 15, 16 years younger than me. You know, biologically, I think it’s going to be a little easier for him to come back! But, yeah, I’m looking forward to it.

“Look, I play tennis mainly to be able to get to a Grand Slam final. I’m here, so I can’t complain about anything. I just want to enjoy the moment I had tonight.

“I’ll think about the final later, but for me it’s a win that’s almost equivalent to winning a Grand Slam.”

Djokovic told the media: “To be honest, I wouldn’t dare call it ‘all time’, ‘best ever’, but it’s definitely the best in the last few years.

“In this situation, in the semi-finals, against Sinner, who has been playing the best tennis of his life over the last few years – and especially here, as a two-time defending champion – there is nothing better than this.

“Honestly, when I started preparing for the new season and setting goals, it was no secret that the Grand Slams were where I wanted to play my best tennis, but it became… I think, it became more difficult for me to motivate myself.

“I asked myself some questions. ‘Okay, what am I looking for in myself?’ I imagined really playing against Janik and Carlos in the final stages of the Grand Slams this year and giving it my all.

“So, very lucky to have already won it in the first Grand Slam of the year! Yeah, huge victory, very proud, very happy and very relaxed – because it’s very physically demanding and very hard.”

as Novak Djokovic His attention turned to his latest showdown Jannik Sinnerhe heard something that would eventually flip this australian open upside down. In his post-match press conference after his quarterfinal match against Lorenzo Musetti, Djokovic admitted he was ready to go home Italian retires two sets from matchwho was angered by the wording of a question that asked him to compare how he felt “chasing” Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal early in his career to how he feels now. Carlos Alcaraz and sinners dominate.

Djokovic paused. He said the wording of the question was “disrespectful” and ignored his decade as a leading force. Suddenly, fire ignited in his eyes. “I will fight until the last shot, until the last point, and try my best to challenge them,” Djokovic said.

Two nights later, at around 2 a.m. in Melbourne, Djokovic rose to the challenge and delivered a classic performance that was one of his career victories over the Australian Open champion.

Is it a matter of not winning enough? big Point, though?

Sinner: “Yeah, I mean, especially at the end.

“I was holding it a little easier and he was holding it a little harder, you know. [I had] Many breakpoints.

“So, yeah, I mean, I know I scored more points than he did, but at the same time: If we see the score, it’s completely irrelevant.”

Sinner: “I don’t want to say all eight break points. Yeah, I mean, most of the time he was serving well, so you know, you have to say that as well.

“I had my chance, I had a few rallies. I missed the shot and that can happen. You know, that’s tennis, that’s how tennis works.

“The serve was also great, and I have to give him a lot of credit for his performance today.”