And Djokovic ended up silencing many mouths

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In this 2026 Australian Open, Novak Djokovic has silenced many critics. The Serbian has once again shown the type of tennis player he is, and just when many had already counted him out and semi-retired him, he has pulled another trick out of his sleeve to remind us why he is called the best in history.

2025 might not have been his best year in terms of titles or results, but it was the only year to challenge the reign of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in a circuit full of young players characterized by their lack of faith and conviction in equaling (let alone surpassing) these two beasts.

Others don't even have the answers for what they need to do, and there are also those who don't even consider it, given the amount of work and time that would be required to attempt it. Novak, however, had no qualms about accepting the challenge with pleasure.

Novak Djokovic accepts the challenge

Just like at the end of the 2000s, when he set out to end Nadal and Federer's reign, Nole entered the pre-season with a goal: to get closer to Sinner and Alcaraz. To achieve this, he hired Mark Kovacs, a renowned specialist to figure out what he needed to do to improve his physical performance.

That was what was missing. In 2025, he faced off against both in the four Grand Slams, but although he managed to defeat Carlos in Australia, he found himself far behind physically compared to the two in the last three majors. Therefore, he set out to take his body to another level, at almost 39 years old. Judging by what we saw at this Australian Open, he certainly did.

Although he was fortunate with the retirement of two players on his way to the semis, against Sinner, he displayed an extra physical edge. Over the years, Nole lost some explosiveness and agility in his legs. It affected his entire game. In Melbourne, on that semifinal night, he amazed everyone with his ultimate escapism trick. It was as if he were the best of magicians.

Nolan, in his movie ‘The prestige’, said that every great magic trick consists of three parts:

The Pledge: the magician shows something seemingly ordinary.

Djokovic arrived in Australia looking like any 38-year-old who appears to be there to see how he gets surpassed without much effort. Something similar to what happened in the last three Slams.

The Turn: the magician does something extraordinary with that “ordinary” thing. Don't look for the trick; you won't find it.

When few expected it and trailing 1-2 against Sinner, Djokovic escapes that trap and elevates his game to achieve one of his best victories ever.

The Prestige: you see something you've never seen before, and the audience goes wild.

Djokovic drops to his knees on the floor of Rod Laver Arena, gazing at the dark Australian night sky and celebrates an almost impossible victory. The crowd lifts him to the heavens. Never in many of his victories there, in that same arena, was he cheered more.

“It has been the greatest support and affection I have received in all the years I have come here,” an emotional Djokovic remarked in his runner-up speech. Overwhelmed by the warmth of the people, Nole expressed gratitude for the support he didn't always receive and sought so much.

Because after many years of lifting trophies all over the world, Djokovic was able to feel the outstretched hand of the public. Silencing those who not long ago wanted to retire him, he may not have won his 25th Grand Slam title today, but, in return, he gained something else: the forgiveness of those who doubted him and the love and recognition of much of the public.

It is admirable that a person who has won everything in this sport and has nothing to prove to anyone continues to compete at his age and make things so difficult for Carlos and Jannik. That's why every match of his is a gift. Every tournament is worth celebrating. Perhaps not many know how to appreciate it yet today. It will take some more time for those people to realize how fortunate we were to have someone like Djokovic. Without him, this wouldn't be the same.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Y Djokovic terminó callando muchas bocas