Novak Djokovic has labeled two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner the “absolute favourite” ahead of their Australian Open semi-final on Friday, but the Serbian star insists he will bring his “A-game” in an attempt to pull off an upset.
The 38-year-old legend will face the red-hot Italian in a marquee night match on Rod Laver Arena, where Djokovic has enjoyed unparalleled success, winning 10 titles. The winner will face either Spanish top seed Carlos Alcaraz or German third seed Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s title decider.
Djokovic reached the semi-finals courtesy of a walkover, after Lorenzo Musetti retired hurt while trailing 6-4, 6-3, 1-3 in their quarter-final clash. This followed another free pass in the fourth round when Jakub Mensik withdrew without a ball being hit.
The fourth seed must also overturn a run of five straight defeats to Sinner to reach his 11th Australian Open final, having been defeated by the 24-year-old Italian in last year’s French Open and Wimbledon semi-finals.
“He’s just playing on such a high level right now, along with Carlos. They’re the two best players in the world,” Djokovic said. “Absolute favourite, but you never know. Hopefully I can deliver my A-game for that match-up because that’s what’s going to be needed at least to have a chance. I wasn’t playing close to my best against Musetti, so I’m going to have to change that around.”
Djokovic is chasing a landmark 25th Grand Slam title, which would move him past Margaret Court, having last won a major at the 2023 US Open. The task has been made tougher by the rise of Sinner and Alcaraz, who have shared every Slam crown since then.
“It’s going to be a very tough match,” said Sinner, who defeated Zverev in last year’s final. “We know each other quite well, so it’s going to be interesting to see how we handle the situation. It can go well, but it also can go wrong. That’s how our sport is and I don’t want to put myself under extra pressure.”
Meanwhile, Alcaraz is on his own mission, to become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam at 22, surpassing Rafael Nadal, who achieved the feat at 24. The Spaniard has been in commanding form, but faces a stern challenge from Zverev, still chasing his first major at 28.
“I’ve watched his matches through the tournament, and the level he’s been playing at is impressive, so it’s going to be a great battle,” said six-time major winner Alcaraz. “I know he’s serving pretty well. He’s playing really solid and aggressive from the baseline. I will be well-prepared for that match, and if he wants to beat me, he’s going to have to sweat a lot.”
