ROLAND GARROS. Paris
Jannik Sinner battled for over three hours to defeat a resilient Novak Djokovic, who made his opponent earn every point before falling 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7/3).
The Italian displayed an outstanding level of tennis, reaching every ball and outlasting a determined Djokovic who tried everything and ended up applauding his current heir as the king of the circuit.
Sinner, who hasn’t dropped a set in the six matches he’s played during the Paris fortnight, flirted with perfection against a powerless Djokovic, who left Philippe Chatrier to a standing ovation for the battle he delivered against a rival 15 years his junior.
Often underappreciated throughout his career, Djokovic was granted a rare gift as the entire Roland Garros center court chanted in unison: “Novak, Novak!”
It may have been the Serbian’s last match at the tournament. And if that’s the case, the World No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings found a silver lining.
“He is truly a role model for all of us,” said Sinner, reflecting on the possibility that he had just played Djokovic’s final match in Paris. “If that’s the case, I’m happy to be part of it, because it’s also part of history.”
“A lot [of memories], because I was lucky to train with him when I was very young. We trained a lot in Monaco,” Sinner recalled. “Whenever I asked him questions, he always answered sincerely. He’s very important to me not only as a player but also as a person,” added the Italian, who will face Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s final.
A legacy at Roland Garros
If this was indeed Novak Djokovic’s final appearance at Roland Garros, he leaves behind a legendary legacy in Paris. From winning his first title on the clay of Philippe Chatrier in 2016 — finally conquering the one Grand Slam that had long eluded him — to capturing a historic second crown in 2021 after staging an epic comeback against Stefanos Tsitsipas, Djokovic has delivered countless unforgettable moments in Paris. His semifinal win over Rafael Nadal in 2021 is widely regarded as one of the greatest clay-court matches of all time. Whether lifting trophies or battling deep into the night, Djokovic’s passion, resilience, and greatness have left an indelible mark on Roland Garros.