Jannik Sinner praises ‘incredible’ Novak Djokovic after making it through again at the Australian Open

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Jannik Sinner extended his Australian Open winning streak to ten matches with his third-round win over Marcos Giron.

The Italian world number one has continued his fine form into the Australian Open, having now not lost a tennis match for over 100 days.

Sinner beat Nicolas Jarry in his opener, 7-6, 7-6, 6-1, as the 23-year-old was tested in the opening sets by his Chilean opponent.

Then came a test against home-favorite Tristan Schoolkate, who took a set of Sinner, before the Italian prevailed in four.

Earlier on Saturday, Sinner beat Giron to book his place in the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the 15th time in his young career.

After the match, Sinner was asked about the fitness and longevity of two of the oldest players on the ATP Tour.

Jannik Sinner praises ‘incredible’ Novak Djokovic and Gael Monfils for their longevity

In his post-match press conference, Sinner was asked whether he thinks he’ll be as fit as Gael Monfils when he reaches 38 years old.

“This is a question I cannot answer, I don’t know,” he said.

“For sure you have to work a lot, especially when you’re young, to reach longevity.

“You have to prevent things, you have to work also very smart.”

Sinner went on to say that he’s made changes from his younger years in an attempt to remain fit as he grows older.

“I was someone who didn’t use many weights when I was a junior player or younger than I am now,” he said.

“Trying to prevent those injuries.

“You have to choose the right tournaments, when to play, when not to play.

“There are many things what come together.”

38-year-old Monfils beat Taylor Fritz in the third round of the Australian Open, becoming the oldest player ever to beat a top-five player in Melbourne.

Sinner went on to compliment Monfils and Novak Djokovic, the two oldest players left in the men’s draw, for their ability to compete at the highest level despite their age.

“We saw that also today with Gael [Monfils], with Novak [Djokovic], many incredible players who are still so, so fit with their age,” he said.

“This gives us also a different point of view, no?

“Of course, it’s important to win now, but it’s also important to keep the career and the body in a good shape the more you go on.”

Who are the oldest and youngest players left in the 2025 Australian Open?

Monfils and Djokovic may be two of the older players remaining in the 2025 Australian Open, but are there any other players approaching the end of their careers, that have qualified for the last 16?

Remarkably, the pair are the only two players above the age of 30 left in the competition, with 29-year-old Lorenzo Sonego the next oldest.

Tennis may well be a young man’s game, as over half of the remaining players left in the competition are under the age of 24.

The youngest of which, Learner Tien, is a whopping 19 years Monfils’ junior.

The sheer quantity of younger players that have made it to the last 16 in Australia should highlight just how impressive Monfils and Djokovic’s performances at the event have been.

Over a decade older than 11 of their 14 opponents, the pair are doing all they can to maintain their level against the younger generation.

It remains to be seen how much further Djokovic and Monfils will go at this year’s tournament, but they’ll hope to get off to a strong start as the second week begins.

Djokovic will take on Jiri Lehecka on Sunday, January 19, before Monfils faces off against Ben Shelton on Monday, January 20.