History knocks on the door in Melbourne
Novak Djokovic finally defeated one of the two men who blocked his path to an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam. This Friday, he beat Jannik Sinner in five epic sets to reach the Australian Open final.
Now, to get that 25th trophy, he will have to beat the other: Carlos Alcaraz, the world number one. Both are looking to make history this Sunday.
“There is always something, for me. Also for Carlos because of his age and everything he has achieved,” Djokovic said around 3 in the morning. “History is at stake for both of us. It’s the final of a Grand Slam. There’s a lot at stake.”
Two battles, one destiny
Both came after semi-finals to remember. Alcaraz won against Alexander Zverev in five hours and 27 minutes, the longest semifinal in the history of the Australian tournament.
That delayed the duel between Sinner and Djokovic. The 38-year-old Serbian finally won 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 after 1:30 in the morning.
“It feels surreal. Honestly, it feels like winning already tonight,” Djokovic confessed about his four-hour and nine-minute triumph. “I know I have to come back… and face the number one in the world.”
The incredible thing is that Djokovic almost didn’t get here. He was almost disqualified in the third round for a reckless hit. He automatically advanced to the quarterfinals because his rival did not show up due to injury.
And in the quarterfinals he was losing against Lorenzo Musetti by two sets until the Italian retired injured.
But against Sinner, the reigning two-time champion displayed all his magic. He neutralized 16 of the 18 break points he faced. He broke a five-game losing streak against the Italian.
“I had a lot of opportunities, I couldn’t take advantage of them, and that’s the result,” Sinner admitted. “Yes, it hurts, for sure.”
Alcaraz and Sinner had shared the last eight Grand Slams since Djokovic won his last title in the United States.
But no one knows how to win more often at Melbourne Park than Novak. They have won the ten times they have played the final here.
“I never stopped doubting. I never stopped believing in myself,” he stated with that conviction that only years at the top give. “Many people doubted…many experts wanted to withdraw me. I want to thank them because they gave me the strength to prove them wrong.”
This Sunday is not just another final. It is the match where a young prodigy seeks to complete his Grand Slam at only 22 years old, against a legend who pursues the impossible: his 25th title.
The tennis school of life gives us another master lesson.
