Jannik Sinner handed Novak Djokovic his first loss at the Australian Open in six years.

Jannik Sinner revealed that he got some advice from Novak Djokovic about his game (Image: Eurosport)
Jannik Sinner revealed that Novak Djokovic gave him some advice on how to improve his game at the beginning of his career – something that came back to haunt the world No. 1. The Italian handed Djokovic his first defeat at the Australian Open since 2018, beating him 6-1 6-2 6-7(6) 6-3 in the semi-final.

Sinner booked a spot in his maiden Grand Slam final in spectacular fashion, ending Djokovic’s 33-match run in Melbourne. The world No. 4 didn’t face a single break point during the match and has now dropped just one set all tournament in a tiebreak to the world No. 1.

 

It’s his third win in his last four meetings with Djokovic, as the 22-year-old beat him at the Davis Cup and in the group stage of the ATP Finals, with both of the matches coming in November. During his on-court interview, Jim Courier asked Sinner how he had been able to start beating the 24-time Major winner but Sinner replied: “Ask him.”

It prompted Courier to recall a story about how Djokovic was asked about Sinner’s game just a few years ago. “It’s funny that you say ask him because when you played him for the first time in Monte Carlo in 2021 your coach at the time did ask him,” he said. “He went to him after the match and he said, Can you tell me a few things that maybe Jannik can work on to improve?”

Novak Djokovic suffered his first loss at the Australian Open since 2018 (Image: Getty)

“And Novak, because he’s a great sportsman, he did. He told your coach three or four different things. Do you remember what those things were at the time, did your coach even tell you? Because I’ve heard the story but I’ve not heard you talk about it.” Sinner revealed that it was true, with Djokovic shooting himself in the foot by giving the 22-year-old the tools to eventually take him out.

Sinner explained: “This story is true and I had the chance already when I was younger, 17, 16 to practice with him in Monaco. And I think already there the process of trying to learn from the best players in the world started. Then obviously the match is different, he told me after the match try to move the ball a little bit more, not being a little bit predictable.

“So we are trying to do that, Obviously the serve has improved a lot but still I have the feeling that I still can improve a lot and that’s why I have a great team behind me to keep pushing.”

Jannik Sinner advanced to his maiden Grand Slam final (Image: Getty)

And Sinner refused to give away his game plan to beat Djokovic, sharing his hope to keep facing the 24-time Grand Slam champion in the future. Explaining how he was able to pull off the upset, he said: “I think we play really similar and you have to first of all try to return as many balls as possible.

“He’s such an incredible server so I tried to guess sometimes a little bit also and just trying to push, trying move him around a little bit. I’m not going to tell you the tactics because I have the feeling or I hope that I might play him hopefully couple of different matches also but it’s a pleasure to be here as I said, they call it the happy Slam for a reason.”