Novak Djokovic competing at the Australian Open had always been a sure thing. He’d never lost a semifinal or final match in Melbourne, going 20–0, while winning the tournament a record 10 times.
However, Djokovic’s sterling record now has a blemish. Seeking his 25th grand slam title, the world No. 1 player lost his semifinal match on Friday to Jannik Sinner 6-1, 6-2, 6-7(6), 6-3.
Scintillating Sinner 🇮🇹🔥
He achieves the impossible defeating 10x #AusOpen champion Djokovic 6-1 6-2 6-7(6) 6-3.@janniksin • #AO2024 • @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis@Kia_Worldwide • #Kia • #MakeYourMove pic.twitter.com/X6qFAtegq7
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 26, 2024
Djokovic may have run into a buzzsaw with Sinner. He’d won 15 consecutive sets going into Friday’s match. That success continued against Djokovic, winning the first two sets of their match. It was ultimately too much of a deficit to overcome and Djokovic suffered his first loss at the Australian Open since 2018.
“I guess this is one of the worst grand slam matches I’ve ever played – at least that I remember,” Djokovic said to reporters afterward. “Not a very pleasant feeling playing this way. But at the same time, credit to him for doing everything better than me in every aspect of the game.”
Sinner has now defeated Djokovic in three of their past four matches going back to November.
The loss compelled many tennis fans to question whether or not the sport has reached the end of an era with neither Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, or Roger Federer playing in the Australian Open for the first time since 2005.
First Australian Open final without Federer, Nadal or Djokovic since 2005.
— The Big Three (@Big3Tennis) January 26, 2024
Eras do come to an end
— Mayoral (@A_Mayoral11) January 26, 2024
Imagine Djokovic not having a break point in a Grand Slam
That was an amazing performance by Sinner— Atinuke Esan (@SucreMamito124) January 26, 2024
This is just insane, jannik sinner and Alvarez are the new generation of tennis stars
— Anabella💙♥️ (@AnabellaMarvyj) January 26, 2024
Thought Alcaraz was the next big thing. I was wrong. It’s Sinner. Never seen Djoke so completely dominated. Ever
— Johnny Cardinale (@JohnnyCardinale) January 26, 2024
End of an Era.
— Pennyman (@Pennyman_94) January 26, 2024