Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after defeating Jannik Sinner of Italy in their semifinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, early Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)
What is it they say about fortune favouring the brave?
It’s not too tough to estimate the thoughts that would have been rifling through Novak Djokovic’s head as Lorenzo Musetti was thoroughly outplaying him in their Australian Open quarterfinal on Wednesday. The undisputed king of Melbourne Park had not only lost his throne but was in the middle of the kind of thrashing that would have ordinarily caused a moment of reckoning for a 38-year-old legend.
On Sunday, he will return to his lair – night time at Rod Laver Arena – in a first Major final in two years, attempting to win his 25th. Such reversals have been so commonplace in the two decades that Djokovic spent ruling men’s tennis that most onlookers had come to expect it. But a shallow run during which his body had betrayed him had made the prospect of seeing it from him again in the twilight of his career seem near impossible.
Slim pickings for a man who specialises in greatness, though. There’s a reason why he is adamant to continue playing at this level. On Friday night, on his favourite court, he showed why.
With a vintage performance oozing with overwhelming quality and intensity, and also his signature composure, Djokovic defeated Jannik Sinner, the second seed and two-time defending champion, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals on Friday. He becomes the oldest finalist to ever reach the summit clash in Melbourne, which if he were to win would give him an 11th title down under.
With the victory, he overturned a deficit in his recent head-to-head with Sinner, having lost each of their previous five matches and failing to win even a set in the last three. He also became just the third player to have defeated Sinner in a completed match since August 2024.
Djokovic had been derided for so long for his results; the wear and tear on his 38-year-old body had become such a huge talking point that speculation about his future has been imminent with every passing Major. But no showing could have greater implications on his future in the game: this was not merely a one-off result but an out-and-out statement of intent. Djokovic still has the legs, the power and the abilities to contend with the very best, even if they are 14 years younger than him.
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There could be no better vindication of his convictions to keep continuing to play tennis than vanquishing an opponent that had particularly become a thorn in his side on the biggest stage. That it happened in an epic five-setter that went over four hours is icing on this giant-sized cake.
No wonder Djokovic was so moved at the end of this match. As his team sitting on the sidelines got teary-eyed, he gave himself a moment, head in hands before looking up at the sky, and then gathered himself to give a beaming vote of thanks to the raucous Melbourne crowd and their relentless support till 2 in the morning.
Special nights are why he still does this, and Sunday presents an opportunity to seal it with a history-making pursuit. That doesn’t seem nearly as far-fetched as it did 24 hours ago for the man that has made a habit of bending top-level tennis to his will.
Namit Kumar is a Senior Sports Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. He is known for his versatile reporting across several major sports disciplines.
Professional Profile
Specializations: He covers a wide variety of sports including tennis, football, cricket, and motorsports.
Focus: His writing often delves into the finer details and technical analysis of the sports he covers.
Social Media: You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @namitkumar_17.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Namit’s recent work focuses heavily on international cricket series and domestic tournaments, as well as high-profile global tennis events:
International Cricket (India vs South Africa Series):
"Intelligence, skill, and heart: How Arshdeep Singh took out Reeza Hendricks" (Dec 15, 2025) — A detailed analysis of Arshdeep's tactical comeback in the T20I series.
"How India's seamers froze South Africa in chilly Dharamshala" (Dec 14, 2025).
"Why India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill losing form, is the start of a blunt headache" (Dec 12, 2025) — An analytical piece on the statistics and form of India's leadership duo.
"Quinton de Kock dismantles Indian bowling combination with silent savagery" (Dec 11, 2025).
Domestic Cricket (Ranji Trophy):
"Ranji Trophy: J&K conquer Kotla and Delhi for first time" (Nov 11, 2025) — Reporting on the historic first win for Jammu & Kashmir over Delhi in the tournament's history.
"What makes J&K pacer Auqib Nabi special" (Nov 8, 2025) — A profile on the pacer's accuracy and swing.
"Unearthing the next Virat Kohli still a while away but Delhi's young batting talent full of promise" (Oct 24, 2025).
Tennis and Golf:
"Jannik Sinner's winter-time madness: How Italian refined his game to beat Alcaraz" (Nov 17, 2025) — A deep dive into Sinner’s technical improvements following his US Open loss.
"Everyone's come to watch Rory McIlroy but keep an eye out for 'people's champion' Tommy Fleetwood" (Oct 17, 2025).
Football Tactics:
"Why are long throw-ins giving football defenders and lawmakers a headache?" (Nov 2, 2025) — An analytical piece on the evolving strategies surrounding throw-ins in modern football.
Reporting Style
Namit is active in covering the Delhi sports scene, providing detailed match reports for international cricket matches and Ranji Trophy fixtures at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. He also provides on-the-ground reporting for happenings in the city, such as his recent coverage of the DP World India Championship golf event. Additionally, he actively writes on tennis, analysing matches and reporting on major events, especially during the Grand Slam tournaments. ... Read More
