It appeared to be a farewell speech that landed on the line.
What a ride it has been. The defeat was Djokovic’s only loss in 11 appearances in the Australian Open final, having won a record-breaking 10 titles and a record 24 grand slam titles in his career.
A disappointed yet reflective Djokovic in the post-match media conference. Credit: Getty Images
He had some luck in the quarter-finals when his opponent Lorenzo Musetti retired after winning the first two sets. But he earned his place in the final with an epic five-set victory over the metronomic Sinner.
And along the way, in a rare Australian Open to end without the trophy being his, Djokovic recognised a love he had never felt before from crowds in Melbourne.
“You guys particularly in the last couple of matches gave me something I have never experienced in Australia, that much love, support, positivity… I try to give you back with good tennis over the years,” Djokovic said.
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“I did not think I would be standing in a closing ceremony of a grand slam once again. I think I owe you the gratitude as well for pushing me forward over the past couple of weeks.”
Even for a player who appears to draw on any and every slight imaginable to motivate himself, he was entitled to that little shot at Melbourne and Australia.
Australia didn’t warm to him. Although opinions were divided over the decision to kick him out of the country during the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2022, public sentiment was not with him.
Back then, many wondered whether he would be seen back in Australia again, and apart from Craig Tiley, few seemed to lose sleep over it.
But he returned to win his 10th title the very next year, his apparent “risk to public health and good order in Australia” disappearing with the virus. It was an emotional time for Melburnians. Let’s hope Djokovic understands that.
He kept coming but lost in the 2024 semis to Sinner, then retired hurt in the 2025 semi-final against Alexander Zverev before his four-set defeat on Sunday night, telling reporters post-match the encounter had left him with “many what if scenarios in my head”.
What if this is Djokovic’s last time playing in Australia? That will be what his fans will be asking after they chanted his name at Rod Laver Arena.
Even if the speech was not his denouement, the 38-year-old leaves this tournament on good terms, with himself and with Australians.
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“I am content,” he said in his post-match media conference.
He should feel that emotion. His speech, like a politician accepting electoral defeat, might be the moment where even his harshest critics warmed to him.
The tough, unrelenting, unforgiving, straight-talking Serbian, who we thought engaged in gamesmanship more than we would have liked, had not been humbled. He was humble, as he appeared again in 2026 like an annual summer scorcher in the finals of the Australian Open.
His recognition that he could not steal Alcaraz’s moment may have halted him from making the call then and there. Such presence of mind has made him one of the greatest athletes to regularly appear on our shores.
His description of the performance of his opponent, the youngest man ever to achieve a career grand slam and a more complete player than any of Djokovic, Federer and Nadal were at his age, was admiring and respectful.
It could be used about Djokovic himself. “What you have been doing, the best word to describe it is historic, legendary.”
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