Djokovic Shows Sportsmanship Ahead of High-Stakes Semi-Final
In a display of genuine sportsmanship, Novak Djokovic took a moment from his crucial pre-match preparations to personally congratulate Carlos Alcaraz on Friday, after the young Spaniard secured his place in the Australian Open final following an epic five-set battle.
Alcaraz's Marathon Victory Over Zverev
Carlos Alcaraz, aged 22, endured a gruelling five-hour and twenty-seven-minute contest against Germany's Alex Zverev to book his spot in the championship match. Despite surrendering a commanding two-set lead, the world number one demonstrated remarkable resilience to eventually triumph in a thrilling decider. This victory marks Alcaraz's first appearance in an Australian Open final, placing him on the cusp of becoming the youngest male player ever to achieve the career Grand Slam.
Djokovic's Courteous Backstage Moment
With his own monumental semi-final against defending champion Jannik Sinner looming on the same Rod Laver Arena court, the 38-year-old Serbian legend nevertheless found time for a gracious gesture. Cameras captured Djokovic approaching Alcaraz, who was cooling down on a stationary bike, to offer a handshake and words of congratulations to both the player and his team. Although the audio was not picked up, the interaction appeared warm and respectful, with Djokovic seen patting Alcaraz on the back and sharing a laugh before departing to focus on his own match.
Controversy Surrounds Alcaraz's Medical Timeout
The Spaniard's path to victory was not without significant controversy. During the third set, while still leading, Alcaraz required treatment for apparent movement issues. Chair umpire Marijana Veljovic subsequently announced a three-minute medical timeout, during which a trainer massaged Alcaraz's upper legs. This decision incensed Alex Zverev, who vehemently protested to supervisor Andreas Egli, arguing that the treatment was for cramping—a condition for which medical timeouts are not permitted under tournament rules.
Zverev was heard exclaiming in German: "He has cramp! He can't take a medical, he is cramping. What else should it be? This is absolute bull****! This is unbelievable. You are protecting both of them [Alcaraz and Sinner], this is unbelievable. Unbelievable. This is not possible, this is not possible. You cannot be serious."
Historic Context and Ongoing Semi-Final Drama
Minutes after his interaction with Alcaraz, Djokovic took to the court to face the formidable Jannik Sinner. The Italian, aged 24, is pursuing a third consecutive Australian Open title, yet he remains some distance from Djokovic's extraordinary record of ten championships at Melbourne Park, a streak beginning in 2008. The Serbian superstar is also chasing a historic 25th Grand Slam title overall, which would cement his status as the most successful Slam champion in tennis history, surpassing all other male and female players.
Remarkably, Djokovic's semi-final clash with Sinner has mirrored the evening's earlier drama. The match has developed into another five-set epic, with Djokovic twice recovering from a set deficit to force a decisive fifth frame, which was ongoing at the time of reporting. This underscores the intense competitive spirit and physical demands of the tournament's closing stages.
