Jannik Sinner’s coach Darren Cahill was full of praise for Novak Djokovic following his big win over Carlos Alcaraz, declaring it “one of the greatest performances.”
On Tuesday, the record 10-time Australian Open champion came back from a set down to beat the third-seeded Spaniard 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 and reach his 12th semifinal at Melbourne Park.
Late in the first set, the 37-year-old took an off-court medical timeout and returned with the upper part of his left lag taped.
“Simply, one of the greatest performances I’ve seen,” Cahill stated on ESPN.
“For somebody, who significantly 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.”
Novak Djokovic© Australian Open/Instagram – Fair Use
Cahill to Djokovic: Nothing but respect
When reflecting on the match, the Australian coach also noted that Alcaraz had the crowd on his side and that it was impressive how the Serb reacted while dealing with an injury but also having the crowd turned against him.
“But then Novak changes his game better than anyone I know in tennis,” Sinner’s coach said.
“Nothing but respect with the way he played.”
Darren Cahill on Novak Djokovic performance vs Carlos Alcaraz “Simply one of the best performances I’ve seen…nothing but respect with the way that he played” pic.twitter.com/znu3lzzswc
— asud (@asud683385) January 22, 2025
After Sinner and Alcaraz dominated the Grand Slam scene last year and Djokovic failed to beat them at Majors, the record 24-time Grand Slam champion’s doubters were saying that he was done.
But against the Spaniard in Melbourne, he clinched a statement win.
“I just wish this match today was the final, honestly. It’s one of the most epic matches I have played on this court, on any court really,” the former world No. 1 said after his big win.
Meanwhile, Djokovic and Sinner could possibly face in the final if the Serb beats Alexander Zverev in the semifinal and the Italian overcomes Ben Shelton.
Tennis World USA