Tennis-Sinner hurting but not surprised by Melbourne exit

By Shrivathsa Sridhar and Ian Ransom

MELBOURNE, Jan 30 (Reuters) – Jannik Sinner said he was hurting but not surprised after having his lengthy reign at Melbourne Park ended by 10-times champion Novak Djokovic ‍in the Australian Open semi-finals on Friday.

The double defending champion was locked in a battle of wills with Djokovic over five thrilling sets before suffering his first loss at the tournament since being beaten by Stefanos Tsitsipas in the fourth round in 2023.

“It was a very important slam for me, of course, (but) it ‌can happen,” the 24-year-old Italian told reporters.

“It was a ‌good match from both of us. I had many chances. Couldn’t use them, and that’s the outcome. Yeah, it hurts, for sure.”

Sinner had beaten Djokovic in each of their previous five meetings but was not surprised with the quality ​of the tennis the 38-year-old Serbian was able to produce on Rod Laver Arena.

“He’s won 24 Grand Slams,” Sinner said. “We know each other very ‍well, how we play. I’m never surprised ​by (his level) because I feel like he’s been the ​greatest player for many, many years.

“Of course, he’s playing less tournaments because of ‍his age and everything, but we also know how important Grand Slams are for me, for him … and everyone.

“He played great tennis. Hopefully I can take away some kind of a lesson to see what I can improve on.”

Sinner held eight break points in the deciding set but ‍Djokovic saved them all.

“He came up with some great shots,” said Sinner. “Most of the time he served very well, you also have to say that. I ‍had my chances. I ‍was in the rallies a couple of times.

“I ​missed the shots, and it can happen. That’s tennis, ​and that’s ⁠how tennis works.

“But you have to give him ‌a lot of credit for how he played today.”

Djokovic will play Sinner’s great rival Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s final as he looks to secure his 25th major title and become the most successful Grand Slam tennis player, man or woman, of all time.

(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar and Ian Ransom, Writing by Nick Mulvenney, editing ⁠by Toby Davis)