Novak Djokovic skips training before Australian Open final and has Carlos Alcaraz message

Novak Djokovic has revealed that he won’t be training ahead of the Australian Open final, as he bids to win a record 25th Grand Slam title. Aged 38, Djokovic took out two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner in Friday’s semi-final. He needed four hours and nine minutes to clinch a 3-6 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-4 victory, with the match finishing at 1.30am. It was almost 3am by the time Djokovic completed his media duties, and he didn't get to sleep until 6am, it was revealed by Tim Henman on TNT Sports. And he decided to take the day off on Saturday, instead of practising for the final.

History will be on the line on Sunday night. While Djokovic hunts a 25th Major, 22-year-old Carlos Alcaraz is hoping to become the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam. Alcaraz also contested an epic five-setter in the semi-finals, overcoming cramps to beat Alexander Zverev 6-4 7-6 6-7 6-7 7-5 in five hours and 27 minutes - the longest semi-final in tournament history,

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It means both men will need a lot of rest and recovery on Saturday ahead of the championship match, and Djokovic has decided not to hit altogether. Speaking after he beat No. 2 seed Sinner, the Serbian superstar admitted he didn’t know how he’d prepare for the final.

“Let's see. You know, it's almost 3am. Yeah, let's see. I cannot make any predictions right now. Definitely not going to train tomorrow. Just going to use every hour I possibly can to recover, and hopefully get out on the finals day feeling somewhat refreshed,” the world No. 4 said.

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Djokovic is 16 years older than his Spanish opponent, and he knows it will be easier for Alcaraz to recover. But the 24-time Major winner also reminded the world No. 1 that he was victorious when they met here in last year’s quarter-finals.

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The 38-year-old explained: “For me, I think also obviously for Carlos because of his age and everything that he was able to achieve so far, history is on the line for both of us every time we play. The finals of Grand Slam, you know, there's a lot at stake, but it's no different from, you know, any other big match that I play.

“My preparation is as it should be, and I won against him last year here, you know, also in a gruelling match. Let's see. Let's see how fresh are we both able to be. He also had a big match, but he has 15, 16 years on me. You know, biologically I think it's going to be a bit easier for him to recover.

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“But, yeah, I look forward to it. Look, I play tennis competitively mainly to be able to reach the finals of Grand Slams. Here I am, so I cannot complain about anything. I'm just trying to enjoy the moment that I'm experiencing tonight. I'll think about finals later, but for me, this is win that almost equals winning a Grand Slam.”

After beating Sinner in five sets at 1.30am, Djokovic told the Rod Laver Arena crowd that it felt like he’d already won the title. And the Serb later said that it was one of his best matches in recent years.

“To be honest, I wouldn't dare to call it ever, finest ever, but definitely the finest in the last couple of years. Under the circumstances and semis against, you know, Sinner, who has been playing best tennis of his life in last couple of years, particularly here, two-time defending champion, doesn't get better than this,” he added.

“Honestly, when I started my preparations for the new season and kind of set the goals, you know, it's no secret that Grand Slams are where I want to play my best tennis, but it becomes, I guess, more difficult for me to motivate myself, and I ask myself questions. You know, okay, what is it that I'm looking for from myself? I was imaging really playing against Jannik and Carlos at the final stages of Grand Slams this year and battling it out and really giving it all that I have.

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“So very fortunate to already get it in the first Slam of the year. So, yeah, big win. Very proud. Very happy. Very relieved, as well, because it was physically very demanding and gruelling.”

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