Jannik Sinner is into his first-ever French Open final, having beaten Novak Djokovic in straight sets.
However, it was not the straightforward victory that the result might look on paper, with the 38-year-old going toe-to-toe with the world number one for large parts of the match.
In the end, the relentless power and youth of the Italian proved too much, who has set up a grandstand clash with Carlos Alcaraz this Sunday.
There was one particular moment in the first set that was rather telling, both of Djokovic’s mental state and the sheer hopelessness one faces when playing against the 23-year-old.
Frustratingly, his exclamation was in Serbian. Fortunately, Andrea Petkovic was on hand to translate.
What Novak Djokovic was heard shouting at his box
Speaking on BBC Radio’s coverage of the event, the Bosnia-born retired professional was rather taken aback by Novak Djokovic’s claims mid-way through the first set.
Having been broken and staring down the prospect of falling into a one-set deficit, he cried up to his coaches.
Petkovic then noted: ‘He said “I can’t win those baseline rallies, he’s just too good” and the box told him to “Keep up with the variety”.’
It turns out, watching and commentating on a sport as worldwide as tennis helps to be multilingual.
It’s a surprise to see him so downbeat, especially when Jon Wertheim revealed Djokovic’s post-match reaction to beating Zverev earlier this week.
Novak Djokovic proves he can still compete after French Open run
Even if he is out of another Grand Slam at the semi-final stage, this run should prove so much to him and the rest of the world.
After all, many had written him off heading into the French Open, having suffered first-round exits in both Monte-Carlo and Madrid before eventually snagging a title in Geneva.
So, to see him soar into the latter stages of another major, beating the world number three Alexander Zverev on the way, speaks volumes for his ability to still compete at the apex of the sport.
Jannik Sinner and Alcaraz will likely continue to dominate and cause Djokovic trouble whenever they face him. But if we have learned anything about the 24-time Grand Slam champion, it’s that he will never give up trying to figure out new ways to compete.
