Novak Djokovic is not focusing on how to stop world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in their French Open semi-final on Friday. He insists that “these kind of match-ups and challenges extract the best out of me.”
It`s an unusual position for the Serbian veteran as he prepares for his 51st Grand Slam semi-final, chasing a record 25th major title. Sinner enters the final four clash as the perceived favorite.
The young Italian has been in dominant form in Paris, not dropping a set throughout the tournament and notably not losing his serve since his opening round match.
Sinner is on an impressive winning streak at Grand Slams, including his triumph at the 2024 Australian Open. Should he win two more matches here, he would hold three of the four major titles, needing only Wimbledon to complete a non-calendar year Grand Slam.
Djokovic, a three-time French Open champion, remains confident. “I know what to expect from Jannik,” he stated ahead of their highly anticipated meeting, scheduled for Court Philippe Chatrier.
“He is going to come out and play at a very high level, as he has consistently done over the last eighteen months. I don`t anticipate anything less from him.”
Djokovic reiterated that facing such difficult opponents “extracts the best out of me.”
For him, competing in a best-of-five set match in the late stages of a Grand Slam against the world No. 1 is the ultimate motivation at this point in his career.
“That`s how I see it now,” Djokovic explained. “How am I going to stop him? I don`t think about that. I think about how I am going to execute what I want on the court and feel how I want to feel. That`s where my thoughts are directed.”
Sinner`s View: Djokovic is Back
Djokovic`s own journey to the semi-finals has been remarkable. Following a rare series of losses, the 38-year-old seemed to defy time by winning his 100th ATP title in Geneva just before arriving in Paris.
While his early draw might have appeared favorable, Djokovic delivered a vintage, clinical performance to defeat third seed Alexander Zverev in four sets in the quarter-finals.
Grand Slam tournaments clearly continue to bring out the Serbian`s peak performance, highlighted by his victory at the 2023 US Open.
Sinner commented on his semi-final opponent`s form: “He has shown recently that he is back to his top level.”
He added, “He plays very, very well, so it`s going to be quite tactical and very, very difficult. He`s such an experienced player – 24 Grand Slams, I think that says everything.”
Much like Djokovic, Sinner is a formidable force, and he appears refreshed since returning from the injury layoff he experienced earlier this year.
“I wouldn`t have thought to be here in this position since my comeback,” Sinner said after his quarter-final victory. “I`m happy to accept the situation and hopefully I`m ready. I want to focus on my side of the net, and then we will see.”
Sinner has held the upper hand in their recent matchups, winning four of the last five. However, Djokovic defeated him in straight sets in their only previous clay-court encounter, four years ago in Monte Carlo.
This clay-court history might offer Djokovic a slight advantage. His quarter-final win over Zverev extended his winning streak at Roland Garros to 22 matches since his last defeat there to Rafael Nadal in 2022.
Since that loss, Djokovic claimed the title in 2023 and reached the semi-final in 2024. He also has positive recent experience on the Roland Garros clay, having won Olympic gold at the venue in 2024.
Alcaraz vs. Musetti: Anticipating a Battle
For the first time in the Open Era, two Italian men are in the semi-finals of a Grand Slam. Lorenzo Musetti is also competing on Friday, facing defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz, a two-time Grand Slam winner, is the favorite for the match on Court Philippe Chatrier. He has won their last five meetings since losing to Musetti in the 2022 Hamburg final.
Musetti, however, is in excellent form on clay, highlighted by reaching his first Grand Slam semi-final here in Paris, adding to deep runs at other major clay tournaments this season.
“It`s going to be a beautiful battle,” Alcaraz said ahead of the match, which is the first semi-final scheduled for the court.
“We are both playing excellent tennis,” he added, anticipating an entertaining match for the spectators.
