Novak Djokovic will not step onto the practice court today as he dedicates every available moment to recuperating before Sunday’s Australian Open final against Carlos Alcaraz.
The Serbian veteran’s semi-final triumph over Jannik Sinner concluded at half past one in the morning, following a gruelling four-hour, nine-minute battle that ended 3-6 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-4.
According to Tim Henman on TNT Sports, the 38-year-old did not manage to fall asleep until 6am after completing his post-match media obligations at nearly 3am.
“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,” Djokovic explained.
Sunday’s championship match carries immense historical significance for both competitors.
For Djokovic, victory would secure an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title, extending his already remarkable record at the pinnacle of men’s tennis.
His opponent faces an equally momentous opportunity, with the 22-year-old Alcaraz seeking to etch his name into the history books as the youngest player ever to complete the career Grand Slam.
Novak Djokovic will not step onto the practice court today as he dedicates every available moment to recuperating before Sunday’s Australian Open final against Carlos Alcaraz
|
REUTERS
The Spaniard arrives at the final having endured his own physical ordeal, battling through cramps to defeat Alexander Zverev in five hours and 27 minutes – the longest semi-final in Australian Open history.
Both finalists will require substantial recovery time following their marathon encounters in the last four.
Djokovic readily concedes that the 16-year age difference between himself and the world No 1 will likely favour the younger man’s physical recuperation.
Five facts for tennis fans | GETTY/PA
“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,” the 24-time Major champion acknowledged.
However, the Serbian was quick to point out his recent success against Alcaraz on these very courts, having defeated him in last year’s quarter-final in another demanding contest.
“My preparation is as it should be, and I won against him last year here, you know, also in a gruelling match,” Djokovic noted.
The tennis icon described his victory over the two-time defending champion as among his finest performances in recent memory.
“To be honest, I wouldn’t dare to call it ever, finest ever, but definitely the finest in the last couple of years,” he reflected.
The world No 4 emphasised the magnitude of overcoming Sinner, who has been in exceptional form throughout the past two seasons.
Carlos Alcaraz stands in the way of Novak Djokovic and another Grand Slam triumph on Sunday
|
REUTERSFor Djokovic, the semi-final triumph holds particular emotional weight, with the Serbian suggesting it carries significance comparable to lifting the trophy itself.
“For me, this is win that almost equals winning a Grand Slam,” he declared, adding that he felt “very proud, very happy, very relieved” after such a physically demanding encounter.
Alcaraz, should he win, will become the youngest player to achieve the career Grand Slam.
He has six majors to his name, with his last major coming last summer when he defeated Sinner to win the US Open.
