Jannik Sinner's coach makes eye-catching claim about Novak Djokovic's performance against Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open

Novak Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz in four sets to secure his place in the Australian Open semi-finals.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion rolled on at the Australian Open with a win over one of the ATP Tour’s brightest stars.

An injured Djokovic battled past Alcaraz, having dropped the first set of their encounter on Rod Laver Arena.

Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images

It was undoubtedly Djokovic’s finest performance of this year’s Australian Open, taking down his younger rival.

Djokovic said his win over Alcaraz was one of his best, praise that the Spaniard was appreciative of after suffering such a tough loss.

Another big name on the ATP Tour has now chimed in on Djokovic’s performance, giving his thoughts on the Serb’s quarter-final win.

Darren Cahill says Novak Djokovic’s latest win was one of the ‘greatest performances’ he’s seen

Jannik Sinner’s coach Darren Cahill spoke to ESPN, to give his thoughts on Djokovic’s win over Alcaraz.

“Simply one of the greatest performances I have seen,” said Cahill.

“Honestly, for somebody who has got injured in the first set of this match, lost the first set, navigated his way around how to play one of the best players in the world, and found a way to do it.

More Tennis News

“Carlos [Alcaraz] had the crowd on his side.

“Novak [Djokovic] went off the court, he came back on, Carlos wrapped up the first set, but then Novak changes his game better than anyone I know in tennis on how to play with a slight injury.”

Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Cahill went on to describe how Djokovic adapted to beat Alcaraz after getting injured.

“He is not a serve bot but he turned into a serve bot,” he said.

“He just thumps returns, makes it so difficult for opponents to expose a weakness.

“Nothing but respect for Novak for the way he played, his opponent, the injury and used the crowd to his benefit to get through this match.

“Great performance.”

Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic one match away from 2025 Australian Open final

Sinner’s coach was full of praise for Djokovic’s performance but may be slightly worried, considering that his star pupil could potentially face off against the Serb in Sunday’s final.

The pair are favorites for their respective semi-final matchups against Alexander Zverev, and Ben Shelton.

Sinner and Djokovic have played each other eight times on the ATP Tour, with the head-to-head level at 4-4.

They met in Melbourne last year, at the semi-final stage, with Sinner coming out on top against the ten-time champion in four sets, 6-1, 6-2, 6-7, 6-3.

The win sent Sinner to his first Grand Slam final, where he took down Daniil Medvedev in five sets to clinch the title.

It was remarkably Djokovic’s first semi-final defeat in Melbourne, having never previously lost after the quarter-finals.

Year Result Opponent 2024 Loss (SF) Jannik Sinner 2023 Win Stefanos Tsitsipas 2021 Win Daniil Medvedev 2020 Win Dominic Thiem 2019 Win Rafael Nadal 2016 Win Andy Murray 2015 Win Andy Murray 2013 Win Andy Murray 2012 Win Rafael Nadal 2011 Win Andy Murray 2008 Win Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open performances after reaching the semi-finals

Djokovic will be hoping that last year’s defeat was merely a ‘blip’, and that he can get back to winning ways in the latter stages of the Australian Open.

He won’t want to get too far ahead of himself, however, and will first set his sights on Zverev who beat Tommy Paul in the quarter-finals.

Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Djokovic will face off against Zverev on Rod Laver Arena on Friday, January 24.

Click here to read article