Djokovic Receives Unexpected Apology From Alcaraz Ahead of Australian Open Final
Novak Djokovic has disclosed that his upcoming Australian Open final opponent, Carlos Alcaraz, offered him a surprising apology following their respective marathon semi-final victories in Melbourne. The Serbian tennis legend secured his place in Sunday's championship match after defeating defending champion Jannik Sinner in a gruelling five-set epic that concluded in the early hours of Friday morning.
Historic Semi-Final Marathon Sets Stage for Final Showdown
The path to the Australian Open final proved exceptionally demanding for both competitors. Earlier on Thursday, Alcaraz battled through the longest semi-final in tournament history, requiring five hours and twenty-seven minutes to overcome Alexander Zverev. This record-breaking encounter inevitably delayed the start of Djokovic's subsequent match against Sinner, pushing the conclusion of that contest to nearly 2am local time at Rod Laver Arena.
"I saw Carlos after the match, he said sorry for delaying the start of our match," Djokovic revealed following his hard-fought victory. "I told him I am an old man and I need to go to sleep early! I am looking forward to seeing him in a few days' time."
Djokovic's Gruelling Victory Over Sinner
The 24-time Grand Slam champion required every ounce of his considerable experience and resilience to overcome the formidable challenge presented by Jannik Sinner. Their semi-final clash stretched across five intense sets, with Djokovic eventually prevailing in a match that tested both players' physical and mental limits.
"The quality of tennis was extremely high and I knew this was the only way to win against him," Djokovic reflected. "He won the past five matches against me and I told him at the net thanks for allowing me this. He pushed me to the very limit."
Late-Night Atmosphere and Fan Appreciation
Despite the extraordinary late finish, Djokovic expressed profound gratitude toward the dedicated spectators who remained in the stadium throughout the entire match. The Serbian star acknowledged their unwavering support during what he described as one of his most memorable Australian tennis experiences.
"Some legends stayed up until 2am, thank you for being here tonight and for the support," Djokovic told the crowd. "You have been incredible. I love our passionate relationship. Tonight has been one of, if not the best nights atmosphere wise, support wise I have ever had in Australia."
Recovery Concerns Ahead of Championship Match
With both finalists having endured physically demanding semi-finals, recovery becomes a crucial factor before Sunday's championship decider. Djokovic, a ten-time Australian Open champion, openly acknowledged concerns about his remaining energy levels following his epic battle with Sinner.
"It feels surreal," Djokovic admitted. "Playing almost four hours, coming close to 2am. I'm reminiscing about playing Rafa in 2012. I hope I'll have enough gas to stay toe-to-toe with him [Alcaraz] on Sunday."
The stage is now set for what promises to be a captivating final between two generations of tennis excellence, with Djokovic seeking to extend his record-breaking Australian Open success against the rising Spanish star who has already demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout this tournament.
