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The collapse of Novak Djokovic's reign at the 2024 Australian Open was somewhat predicted at the end of last season, when Jannik Sinner emerged as a new force.
According to Tennishead journalist Kevin Palmer, Djokovic's defeat in Melbourne last week was not surprising because the Serbian's level with the second generation of Next Gen players has significantly narrowed in just a few months.
Before his convincing win over Djokovic in the Australian Open semi-finals, Sinner had an excellent 10 minutes with his senior in the decisive singles match of the Davis Cup semi-finals in Malaga in November 2023. In this match, Sinner was down 0-40 in the service game at 5-4 for Djokovic. But the Italian talent saved all three match-points and won the game in a long-drawn game. In the very next game, Sinner took advantage of the break-point to open up a 7-5 victory.
Djokovic was left disappointed after a blow in the Australian Open semi-final against Jannik Sinner on January 26. The Serbian's 33-match winning streak came to an end in his first Grand Slam semi-final loss in Melbourne.
This victory inspired Sinner and his teammates to win Djokovic's doubles match. Italy won the ticket to the final, then won the championship after nearly half a century of waiting with the brightest star being Sinner.
All of Sinner’s remarkable achievements would have been impossible had Djokovic won one of those three match points. Nole had never lost from three consecutive match points before. In his two-decade career, he has only lost from match point three times, to Mikhail Youzhny in 2007, Rafael Nadal in 2009 and Marin Cilic in 2018.
Sinner has done something exceptionally rare and that shows he is a worthy opponent for Djokovic. When the Italian star maintained his top form in Australia this month, Djokovic's chances of defending his title have been significantly reduced.
"Many people are wondering what will happen to Djokovic next time he meets Sinner, rather than what Sinner will do against his senior," Palmer commented. According to this writer, Djokovic is experiencing the biggest shock in many years, perhaps only after the incident of being expelled from Australia two years ago.
Vulnerability has not been a hallmark of the world No. 1 for a decade. But it was evident in the closing stages of his Davis Cup match against Sinner and much of the Australian Open semi-final. Djokovic eventually retired at Rod Laver Arena for the first time since 2018.
Sinner's victory added to the belief that Nole's incredible era of dominance was finally coming to an end. Djokovic has rarely played so poorly at a Grand Slam against a young opponent. Sinner's serve and forehand seemed too much for Nole, who will soon turn 37.
"This time it's a little bit different, because I'm used to playing at the level I set for myself at the Grand Slams. Let's see what happens in the rest of the season," Djokovic replied when asked if the defeat at the Australian Open would affect his plans to retire in the near future.
Nole also admitted that the defeat on his home court has left him with a troubled mind and that he needs time to consider everything before deciding which tournament to play next month. "I have committed myself to give my all this year, especially in the Grand Slams and the Olympics. At this age and at this stage of my career, some surprising decisions can be made more unusually than 20 years ago," he added.
Whatever Djokovic plans to do, he will surely face either the talent and character of Sinner or the explosive Carlos Alcaraz. "The chasing pack will eventually realise there is a hole in beating Djokovic," Palmer concluded.
TB (according to VnExpress)