Jannik Sinner defeated Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open semi-final and went on to lift the title.

Patrick Mouratoglou has dismissed the idea that Jannik Sinner’s incredible Australian Open run signals a changing of “the era”. The world No. 4 became the first man in six years to beat Novak Djokovic in Melbourne, going on to lift his maiden Grand Slam trophy. But Mouratoglou believes that the next generation still hasn’t taken over from Djokovic, who will likely feel “relieved” after ending his 33-match winning streak at the Australian Open.

Sinner picked up exactly where he left off at the end of 2023, starting the year by winning his first Grand Slam title. The 22-year-old failed to drop a set in his first five matches at the Australian Open before he came up against 10-time champion Djokovic in the semi-final.

Whenever Djokovic had reached the semis in Melbourne, he had gone on to win the title. But Sinner snapped that streak, handing the world No. 1 his first Australian Open loss since 2018 as he came through 6-1 6-2 6-7(6) 6-3. He backed it up by coming from two sets down to defeat Daniil Medvedev in the final, going on to lift the trophy.

‘He outplayed me completely’ – Djokovic credits Sinner after Australian Open exit

With Sinner and fellow young star Carlos Alcaraz winning three of the last six Grand Slams – beating Djokovic at two of them – many believe the Italian’s run is further proof of a changing of the guard. But renowned tennis coach Mouratoglou isn’t convinced.

“It is difficult to talk about a change of era taking into account last season,” the Frenchman told Eurosport. “Djokovic is still at a slightly higher level and has shown time and time again that he can handle the pressure. When the others have showed it, we will see if it is a change of era.”

Djokovic himself claimed that he played one of his worst matches at a Grand Slam against Sinner in the semi-final. And Mouratoglou – a former coach of Serena Williams – agreed. He continued: “During this semi-final, Djokovic played a match that was one of the worst I have ever seen him play.

“He was not there. He definitely wasn’t on that court that day. He was slow, without energy, without enthusiasm. Even his attitude that is always so angry, even when he is winning, when there are moments of pressure, he gets angry, he yells at his box. He was flat, completely flat against Sinner. He was just missing everything.”

But Mouratoglou still thinks that there are positives from Djokovic’s shock defeat, as he claimed the 24-time Grand Slam champion would have been relieved to lose. He added: “Even champions, when there is too much pressure, sometimes they need to fail.

“In a way they feel relieved. I wouldn’t be surprised if Novak felt relieved after that tournament.” Djokovic himself has already congratulated Sinner for going on to lift the trophy that he won 10 times. Taking to Instagram, he wrote: “Bravo Jannik. Deserved. Congratulations to your family and your team.”