Novak Djokovic keeps it real: "One of the worst Grand Slam matches I've ever played"

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic was the first to congratulate Jannik Sinner Friday on playing a “flawless match” when the Italian became the first player to defeat the Serbian beyond the quarterfinal stage of the Australian Open.

Sinner’s incredible display saw Djokovic go without a break point chance in a completed Grand Slam match for the first time in his career, per Tennis Abstract.

While the 10-time event winner praised what his opponent brought to their semifinal, Djokovic was equally frank about his own performance.

“I was, in a way, shocked with my level, you know, in a bad way. There was not much I was doing right in the first two sets,” Djokovic told press following the 6-1, 6-2, 6-7 (6), 6-3 defeat.

“I guess this is one of the worst Grand Slam matches I've ever played. At least that I remember. Not a very pleasant feeling playing this way. But at the same time, credit to him for doing everything better than me, in every aspect of the game.”

Djokovic was looking to win his fourth major since the start of 2023 after going 27-1 on the Grand Slam stage last season. His next opportunity to claim an all-time record breaking 25th major will come at Roland Garros, where he has triumphed on three occasions.

The 36-year-old affirmed his window of opportunity to make more history is hardly closing after falling to Sinner for the third time in four meetings since last November. Djokovic began their head-to-head series by winning their first three encounters.

“This tournament hasn't been, as I said, up to my standard or criteria or the level that I would normally play or expect myself to play,” he said.

“But doesn't necessarily mean that it's beginning of the end, as some people like to call it. Let's see what happens in the rest of the season.”

Djokovic’s career record at majors stands at 366-49 following his last-four showing at Melbourne Park.