Djokovic Is Back in the Australian Open Final

MELBOURNE, Australia — For Novak DjokovicAll went as planned. There were many other ways to make it even better.

The country that kicked him out last year for refusing to get vaccinated had been charmed by him. It was sore. in His hamstring at the Start of the He was almost invincible after tournament vanished in the Important second week the tournament. He appeared in a glider pattern to another. Australian Open men’s singles title and the His 22nd Grand Slam victory of his entire career.

Srdjan, his father was next. Djokovic troubled the waters.

Djokovic, Serbia’s favorite son and most famous citizen, will play for his 10th Australian Open Championship on Sunday against Stefanos Tisipas of Greece the The glide pattern has been officially ended. He defeated Tommy Paul in Straight sets Friday at 7-5 and 6-1. in In front of an hostile crowd, which notably didn’t include his father who was at every other match during the tournament.

Srdjan Djokovic The Thursday edition appeared in A video was taken with Rod Laver Arena fans, who were all holding Russian flags and one man with a shirt. the “Z” symbol that is viewed as support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, despite the tournament’s ban on Russian and Belarusian flags.

Serbia is close to Russia in terms of political and cultural ties, as well as support for the There is no Russian invasion that has been so significant. in Most of the Rest of Europe This incident was the subject of international headlines. sparking the ire of Ukraine’s government Both sending and receiving the Turnier Djokovic’s team scrambling to control the damage.

Srdjan, Friday early Djokovic released a statement saying he had been celebrating with his son’s fans on Wednesday night and did not mean to cause an international incident. “My family has lived through the horror of war, and we wish only for peace,” the Statement. “So there is no disruption to tonight’s semifinal for my son or for the other player, I have chosen to watch from home.”

Tennis Australia issued its own statement shortly after, stating that it had worked closely with police in order to end the demonstrations. the demonstrations and spoke to players and their teams the Important: Don’t engage in any act that can cause distress or disruption. Srdjan was noted by the organization Djokovic’s decision not to attend the match.

“Tennis Australia stands with the call for peace and an end to war and violent conflict in Ukraine,” the statement.

After the match, Djokovic said his father’s actions had been misinterpreted, that he had no intention of offering support to Russia and the war.

“We are against the war, we never will support any violence or any war,” He said. “We know how devastating that is for the family, for people in any country that is going through the war.”

According to him, he decided with his father that it was best not for him to go. the He hoped to be at the semifinal, but he was not there. in the Final on Sunday

“It wasn’t pleasant not to have him in the box,” He said.

Only Djokovic Learn how the His play was affected by the incident, but his behavior against Paul was more erratic. the First-time Grand Slam semifinalist the United States Djokovic He took a 5-1 early lead but then he began to complain to the Chair umpire talking about the fan that was bothering him. He fell into temporary funk. He dropped the The next four games are the The crowd rallied behind the American underdog, taunted the defending champion. Boos were heard through the stadium after Djokovic He remained calm to win the Set 1, 7-5.

Djokovic Responding, he placed his hand in front of his ears and waved his hands to indicate that he was saying. “bring it on,” This spurred the Fans from Serbia gathered in a group to attend Djokovic’s matches no matter where in the He is trying to submerge the world in which he lives the howls.

The atmosphere is likely to be even more spirited on Sunday against Tsitsipas, who is a local favorite because of Australia’s significant Greek population, among the The largest in the The world beyond Greece the United States This will be the rematch of the French Open Final in 2021. There, Djokovic He won his second French title after coming back from defeat in two sets Open singles title.

Tsitsipas was unable to rebound from the loss and has continued playing his best tennis ever since. The winner will be the world’s top-ranked player.

He defeated Karen Khachanov from Russia on Friday in Four sets: 7-6 (2), 4-4, 6-7(6), and 6-3. From 4-4 in the Tsitsipas turned second set into a close match. He scrambled for overheads, winning and eventually won. the 22-shot rally with a rolling forehand winner to break Khachanov’s serve, then clinched the Set in the Next game. Yet, I am not wobbling in the With the third set the Finish line in sight, Tsitsipas came out strong in the Fourth set, and he cruised to his second Grand Slam final. This was a challenge he stated he had never felt more prepared for, particularly with the Greek-Australian Mark Philippoussis helps his father coach.

“I just see no downside or negativity in what I’m trying to do out there,” After beating Khachanov, he stated. “Even if it doesn’t work, I’m very optimistic and positive about any outcome, any opponent that I have to face. This is something that has been sort of lacking in my game.”

Djokovic Has not been affected by internal negativity in With good reason. He is the winner of four the He won the last six Grand Slams that he played in and is usually most dangerous when faced with challenges. The negativity he has had to deal with is external, whether it’s criticism for his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19, or his requests that fans who try to disrupt him be removed from his matches, which has happened several times during this tournament.

“It’s not pleasant for me to go through this with all the things that I had to deal with last year and this year in Australia,” He said. “It’s not something that I want or need.”

There may be plenty of criticism at Sunday’s final. There are good chances that, Djokovic It will be available for you.