'Under-rated' Djokovic still up with the best: Zverev
Three-time French Open champion Novak Djokovic is under-rated at the age of 38, despite continuing to deliver world-class performances.
That was the message from Germany's Alexander Zverev after his quarter-final loss to the Serbian superstar on Wednesday.
The 28-year-old, a finalist last year, was trying to become only the fourth man in the Open era to reach the French Open semi-finals in five consecutive years, after Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Instead he bowed out of the tournament, having lost in four sets to Djokovic, who will play Italian world No.1 Jannik Sinner for a spot in Sunday's final.
"I think it was very, very high level from him," Zverev told a press conference. "It was at some point difficult for me.
"I, at some point, felt like I didn't know how to win a point from the baseline against him. I thought he was having solutions to a lot of things that I was doing."
Djokovic unusually played 35 drop shots in the match, forcing Zverev constantly to the net and mixing up his game to stop the German from pounding him from the baseline.
"I think at the moment he's a bit under-rated, to be honest," Zverev said of the 38-year-old.
"I think like a lot of people count him out already, but this year he's had wins over Carlos (Alcaraz) at the Australian Open, he has had a win over me at the French Open.
"Forget the age. I think for any player, those are pretty good results. He is still beating the best of the best, so I think everybody needs to respect that."
Former world No.1 Djokovic is just two matches away from becoming the first player, male or female, to win 25 grand slam singles trophies.
Three-time French Open champion Novak Djokovic is under-rated at the age of 38, despite continuing to deliver world-class performances.
That was the message from Germany's Alexander Zverev after his quarter-final loss to the Serbian superstar on Wednesday.
The 28-year-old, a finalist last year, was trying to become only the fourth man in the Open era to reach the French Open semi-finals in five consecutive years, after Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Instead he bowed out of the tournament, having lost in four sets to Djokovic, who will play Italian world No.1 Jannik Sinner for a spot in Sunday's final.
"I think it was very, very high level from him," Zverev told a press conference. "It was at some point difficult for me.
"I, at some point, felt like I didn't know how to win a point from the baseline against him. I thought he was having solutions to a lot of things that I was doing."
Djokovic unusually played 35 drop shots in the match, forcing Zverev constantly to the net and mixing up his game to stop the German from pounding him from the baseline.
"I think at the moment he's a bit under-rated, to be honest," Zverev said of the 38-year-old.
"I think like a lot of people count him out already, but this year he's had wins over Carlos (Alcaraz) at the Australian Open, he has had a win over me at the French Open.
"Forget the age. I think for any player, those are pretty good results. He is still beating the best of the best, so I think everybody needs to respect that."
Former world No.1 Djokovic is just two matches away from becoming the first player, male or female, to win 25 grand slam singles trophies.
Three-time French Open champion Novak Djokovic is under-rated at the age of 38, despite continuing to deliver world-class performances.
That was the message from Germany's Alexander Zverev after his quarter-final loss to the Serbian superstar on Wednesday.
The 28-year-old, a finalist last year, was trying to become only the fourth man in the Open era to reach the French Open semi-finals in five consecutive years, after Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Instead he bowed out of the tournament, having lost in four sets to Djokovic, who will play Italian world No.1 Jannik Sinner for a spot in Sunday's final.
"I think it was very, very high level from him," Zverev told a press conference. "It was at some point difficult for me.
"I, at some point, felt like I didn't know how to win a point from the baseline against him. I thought he was having solutions to a lot of things that I was doing."
Djokovic unusually played 35 drop shots in the match, forcing Zverev constantly to the net and mixing up his game to stop the German from pounding him from the baseline.
"I think at the moment he's a bit under-rated, to be honest," Zverev said of the 38-year-old.
"I think like a lot of people count him out already, but this year he's had wins over Carlos (Alcaraz) at the Australian Open, he has had a win over me at the French Open.
"Forget the age. I think for any player, those are pretty good results. He is still beating the best of the best, so I think everybody needs to respect that."
Former world No.1 Djokovic is just two matches away from becoming the first player, male or female, to win 25 grand slam singles trophies.
Three-time French Open champion Novak Djokovic is under-rated at the age of 38, despite continuing to deliver world-class performances.
That was the message from Germany's Alexander Zverev after his quarter-final loss to the Serbian superstar on Wednesday.
The 28-year-old, a finalist last year, was trying to become only the fourth man in the Open era to reach the French Open semi-finals in five consecutive years, after Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Instead he bowed out of the tournament, having lost in four sets to Djokovic, who will play Italian world No.1 Jannik Sinner for a spot in Sunday's final.
"I think it was very, very high level from him," Zverev told a press conference. "It was at some point difficult for me.
"I, at some point, felt like I didn't know how to win a point from the baseline against him. I thought he was having solutions to a lot of things that I was doing."
Djokovic unusually played 35 drop shots in the match, forcing Zverev constantly to the net and mixing up his game to stop the German from pounding him from the baseline.
"I think at the moment he's a bit under-rated, to be honest," Zverev said of the 38-year-old.
"I think like a lot of people count him out already, but this year he's had wins over Carlos (Alcaraz) at the Australian Open, he has had a win over me at the French Open.
"Forget the age. I think for any player, those are pretty good results. He is still beating the best of the best, so I think everybody needs to respect that."
Former world No.1 Djokovic is just two matches away from becoming the first player, male or female, to win 25 grand slam singles trophies.
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7NEWS
an hour ago
- 7NEWS
Tennis great Novak Djokovic out of French Open and may not be backed: ‘I was a bit emotional'
Tennis great Novak Djokovic may not play again Roland Garros. After losing to the top-ranked Jannik Sinner 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3) in Friday's semi-final on Court Philippe-Chatrier, Djokovic has hinted that it is possibly his last time at the French Open. As he left the court, the 38-year-old was cheered by the crowd in a stirring send-off. An emotional Djokovic soaked it all up, and appeared to say goodbye to the red clay as he bowed down and touched the ground. The simple act left tennis fans in a spin. 'NOOOOOOOOO NOVAK DJOKOVIC NOOOOOOOOO 😭😭😭😭🥲🥲🥲🥲 what I am reading?' an emotional fan said, while sharing the image of the Djokovic gesture. And another: 'It's not the end but the gesture meant something — Djokovic touched the Roland Garros clay as he walked off the court. Maybe it's his last RG match (he also said it), maybe not (I hope) but so happy to have witnessed it.' And another: 'Why does it feel like he is not coming back next season. With Andy, Roger and Rafa gone, Nole hanging his boots up will truly be an end to the golden era of tennis.' And another: 'This makes me a little sad ... Much respect to his accomplishments, and all the wonderful things he brought to the sport.' After the loss to Sinner, the media also quizzed Djokovic about his French Open future. His response was also a little cryptic. 'This could have been the last match ever I play here,' he said. 'So ... I don't know ... that's why I was a bit more emotional in the end. 'But if this was the farewell match of Roland Garros for me and my career, it was a wonderful one in terms of the atmosphere and what I got from the crowd. 'I said it could have been my last match, I didn't say it was. I don't know right now ... 12 months in this point of my career is quite a long time 'Do I wish to play more? Yes, I do. But will I be able to play in 12 months time here again? I don't know. 'So yeah, that's all I can say for the moment.' As for Sinner, he has set up a French Open final against defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. He has become only the second Italian man to reach the final at Roland-Garros after Adriano Panatta, the 1976 champion. Djokovic, the men's record 24-time Grand Slam champion, simply could not counter Sinner's relentless accuracy and pounding forehands. In the earlier semi-final, Alcaraz led 4-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-0, 2-0 against Lorenzo Musetti when the eighth-seeded Italian retired with a leg injury. Sinner extended his winning streak in Grand Slam tournaments to 20 matches, after winning the US Open and the Australian Open. Djokovic was bidding for a record-extending 38th Grand Slam final, and an eighth in Paris, where he was won three times. But he spent much of the match camped behind the baseline, sliding at full stretch and grunting loudly while Sinner sent him scurrying left and right like a windscreen wiper. A cross-court two-handed backhand winner from Sinner in the ninth game of the third set was executed with such pure timing that it drew applause even from Djokovic. Djokovic fought back in the third set but wilted in the tiebreaker, somehow missing an easy smash at the net to trail 3-0 and then lost on the second match point he faced when his forehand hit the net. Sinner said: 'These are rare and special moments. I'm very happy.' Alcaraz is attempting to become only the third man to retain his Roland Garros title this century, after Rafa Nadal and Gustavo Kuerten, 'It's never great to go through like this,' Alcaraz said, before hailing Musetti's achievement of reaching at least the semi-finals of all four elite claycourt events this year. 'He's a great player, he has had an incredible claycourt season ... I wish him a speedy recovery and I'm sure we'll be enjoying his tennis pretty soon.' Musetti twice denied Alcaraz the chance to break in the opening nine games before the 23-year-old suddenly dialled up the intensity and snatched the opening set when his Spanish opponent produced errors in a poor service game. A frustrated Alcaraz kicked his bench during the second set but finally found a way through Musetti's dogged defence to draw level after a tiebreak and then produced a dazzling display of power and precision to dish out a bagel in the third set. Musetti, who appeared to be hampered by a left thigh issue midway through the third set, threw in the towel after two games in the fourth. 'The first two sets were tough. I had chances to be up in the match but couldn't make the most of them,' Alcaraz added. 'When I won the second set, I was relieved and I knew that I needed to be aggressive and be myself. I was calmer. I could see clearer and I could play great tennis at the start of the third. 'I'm feeling great physically. It's been three intense weeks but I have one more step to take. I'm playing great tennis and I have great confidence. I've been doing great things in this tournament and now is the time to give 100 per cent in the final.'
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
‘Could be my last match here': Djokovic hints at retirement after French Open loss
Jannik Sinner battled past Novak Djokovic in a gripping French Open semi-final on Saturday morning (AEST) to book a first grand slam final meeting with reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz after the Spaniard saw off Lorenzo Musetti. World number one Sinner held off a record-chasing Djokovic with an impressive 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) win on Court Philippe Chatrier to reach his maiden Roland Garros final. 'He is the best player in the history of our sport, playing against him here is amazing,' said the 23-year-old Sinner. 'Of course I try to not think about this but before coming on court you feel the tension.' Djokovic showed his trademark fighting qualities in a dramatic contest that lasted three hours and 16 minutes, but three missed set points late in the third set ultimately put paid to his hopes of a comeback. As he waved farewell to the crowd, Djokovic bent down and picked up a piece of clay from the court, kissing it before heading to the exit. His comments post-match suggested retirement from tennis could soon be on the cards for the 38-year-old. Djokovic will next attempt to win a record-breaking 25th grand slam title at Wimbledon next month. 'Obviously Wimbledon is next, which is my childhood favourite tournament,' said the world number six. 'I'm going to do everything possible to get myself ready. I guess my best chances maybe are Wimbledon, to win another Slam, or faster hard court, maybe Australia or something like that.' Alcaraz earlier booked his place in Sunday's final when opponent Musetti retired with a leg injury in the fourth set of their last-four tie. Sinner, who is yet to drop a set in the tournament, will be hoping to gain revenge on Alcaraz after losing to the Spaniard in five sets in the semi-finals last year. Alcaraz has won his last four matches against Sinner, including in the Italian Open final in May when Sinner returned from a three-month doping ban. 'Sunday is going to be very difficult, I know my head-to-head lately doesn't look great against Carlos but let's see what I can do,' added Sinner. Djokovic's exit ensures that a sixth successive major title will be lifted by either Sinner or Alcaraz, in what appears increasingly likely to be a permanent changing of the guard. 'This could have been the last match ever I played here, so I don't know,' said Djokovic. 'I don't know really what tomorrow brings in a way at this point in my career. You know, I'm going to keep on keeping on.' Sunday will see the first grand slam final to be played between two men born in the 2000s. Neither Sinner or Alcaraz have ever lost a major final, and now they meed in a grand slam final for the first time. It is also the first grand slam tournament in which the top two seeds will contest both the men's and women's finals since the 2013 US Open, with Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff set to face off for the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen on Saturday. Djokovic had his chances, but Sinner consistently proved too strong in the key moments, including when breaking immediately after failing to serve out the second set. The Italian hit 44 winners in total over the gruelling three sets, showing excellent resilience to stave off three set points in the 10th game of the third. 1 - Two players born in 2000s (Carlos #Alcaraz and Jannik #Sinner) will face each other in a Men’s Singles final at a Grand Slam event for the first time. Can't wait! #RolandGarros | @rolandgarros @atptour — OptaAce (@OptaAce) June 6, 2025 Earlier, world number two Alcaraz was leading 4-6 7-6 (7/3) 6-0 2-0 under the Court Philippe Chatrier roof when Italian Musetti called it quits due to a thigh injury. 'It's never great to go through or win a match when it's like this,' said the 22-year-old. 'He's done an incredible clay season. I wish him all the best, a quick recovery and that he'll be back soon.' Alcaraz will aim to win his fifth grand slam title in two days' time. 'It's been three intense weeks and now I have one step to make,' he said. 'I'll give everything on Sunday, I've been playing great tennis this tournament.' Musetti saved break points in the first and seventh games before grabbing a one-set lead with a break in the 10th game. The Spaniard raced through a second-set breaker, though, taking his third set point when Musetti fired an attempted passing shot into the net. Musetti could not deal with the power coming from the other side of the net in the third set and briefly received treatment on his left thigh. Alcaraz went on to romp through the set, in which eighth seed Musetti mustered only five points, in just 22 minutes. Musetti surrendered another break early in the fourth set as Alcaraz thumped a forehand return into the corner, and the 23-year-old immediately headed to the net to shake his opponent's hand.
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Novak Djokovic unsure about next year's French Open
Novak Djokovic is yet to decide whether his French Open semi-final defeat against world No.1 Jannik Sinner would be his final appearance at Roland Garros. The 24-time grand slam winner and three-time French Open champion was beaten in straight sets after missing three set points in the third. "This could have been the last match ever I played here. I don't know," Serbian Djokovic told a press conference after losing 6-4 7-5 7-6 (7-3). "That's why I was a bit more emotional even in the end. "But if this was the farewell match at the Roland Garros for me in my career, it was a wonderful one in terms of the atmosphere and what I got from the crowd." The 38-year-old was given a standing ovation by a roaring crowd as he exited Court Philippe Chatrier, bending down to touch the clay and saluting the fans. He said he was planning to play at Wimbledon later this month as he is the US Open starting in August, with his focus firmly on the grand slams. He refused, however, to commit to any tournaments beyond those two at this stage. "At the moment I will try to stick with the plan what I had, which is play the grand slams. Those tournaments are the priorities of my schedule," he said. "Wimbledon and US Open, yes, they are in plans. Those two, for sure. For the rest, I'm not so sure. "I don't know really what tomorrow brings in a way at this point in my career," said Djokovic, who had been in pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam singles title in Paris. He is currently tied at 24 for most majors won with Australian Margaret Court. "Wimbledon is next, which is my childhood favourite tournament. I guess my best chances maybe are Wimbledon to win another slam or faster hardcourt, maybe Australia or something like that," he said. "Twelve months at this point in my career is quite a long time. Do I wish to play more? Yes, I do. But will I be able to play in 12 months' time here again? I don't know. That's all I can say for the moment." Djokovic last lifted the Musketeers' Cup at the French Open in 2023.
