Novak Djokovic produced one of the most dramatic victories of his storied career when he toppled defending champion Jannik Sinner in a five-set classic to reach the Australian Open 2026 final, and a powerful moment on his knees after the final point captured the spirit of his achievement. The 38-year-old Serbian, already a legend of the sport, showed extraordinary resilience and competitive fire as he clawed back in a gruelling semi-final that will be remembered as one of the great contests in Melbourne Park history.
Epic five-set duel
The Australian Open men’s singles semi-final between Djokovic and Sinner delivered everything that makes Grand Slam tennis compelling. The scoreline read 3–6, 6–3, 4–6, 6–4, 6–4 in favour of Djokovic after more than four hours of intense competition. Sinner, the two-time defending champion and one of the most consistent performers at majors over the past two seasons, won the opening set and looked comfortable at multiple stages, but Djokovic’s experience and refusal to yield under pressure proved decisive.
He was required to summon his trademark mental strength after losing the first and third sets. Facing a rival with a powerful serve and baseline aggression, he dug deep to level the match at two sets all and then secured the crucial lead in the final set just when it mattered most. Under the lights in the early hours in Melbourne, Djokovic broke Sinner’s serve at a pivotal moment and consolidated to complete the comeback.
The final point and celebration
The last point of the match was a fitting climax to a fiercely contested battle. Djokovic unleashed a well-constructed rally, mixing deep groundstrokes with pinpoint placement to push Sinner off balance. On the decisive ball, Djokovic forced an error from Sinner, winning the point that confirmed his place in the final. The moment brought an outpouring of emotion from the Serbian. Djokovic dropped to his knees on the court, absorbing the magnitude of the victory and reflecting on the physical and mental toll of the match. That gesture - sombre, satisfied and soaked in relief was instantly shared across social platforms as a defining image of the tournament.
Post-match reactions
After the win, Djokovic spoke to the media about the depth of the challenge and his reverence for the quality of his opponent. He acknowledged that Sinner had pushed him to the limit and praised the Italian’s consistency and spirit. Djokovic also reflected on his own performance with humility, noting how demanding the match was and how much effort it took to reverse momentum after falling behind.
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The victory marked a significant milestone in Djokovic’s pursuit of more Grand Slam glory. It extended his record to an 11th Australian Open final and 38th major final appearance, making him the oldest man in the Open Era to reach a final at Melbourne Park and one of the most enduring champions of the sport. He is now poised to chase a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.
Djokovic vs Alcaraz in final
Djokovic’s win over Sinner adds another chapter to his long rivalry with the leading names of the next generation, and it underscores his ability to produce his best tennis on the biggest stages even as his career advances. Standing between him and another historic title is world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, who emerged from the other semifinal in dramatic fashion. The final promises a generational clash - a seasoned icon against a peak-form superstar seeking to complete a rare achievement in men’s tennis.
For fans and pundits alike, Djokovic’s moment on his knees was more than celebration: it was a testament to competitive spirit, mental resilience and the dramatic power of sport at its highest level.
