Juan Martin del Potro reacts as Novak Djokovic beats Jannik Sinner in thriller

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Novak Djokovic will contest his 38th Grand Slam final on Sunday.

Producing one of the best performances of his career, Djokovic defeated Jannik Sinner, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, in the 2026 Australian Open semifinals.

In doing so, he booked his place in the Australian Open final, where he will meet six-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz.

Where does that performance rank out of Novak Djokovic’s best of all time?

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Alcaraz himself had to battle through in five sets to reach the final, defeating Alexander Zverev in a five-hour-27-minute classic earlier in the day.

The final promises to be just as entertaining as the two semifinals, pitting the 38-year-old legend against the world number one.

Thrilled by the day’s action, 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro shared his thoughts on social media.

‘I love you’ – Juan Martin del Potro celebrates Novak Djokovic’s win

The Argentine doesn’t play tennis anymore, but he still lives and breathes the sport.

He certainly enjoyed today!

Before the semifinals had even begun, Del Potro took to X to share who he hoped would reach the final (translated from Spanish).

“I’d love for the Australian Open final to be between my friends Nole [Novak Djokovic] vs Carlitos [Carlos Alcaraz].

“You guys too?”

Alcaraz’s win over Zverev sorted one half of the equation, but Djokovic still had a mountain to climb.

Having trailed 2-1 against Sinner, the Serb fought back brilliantly to force a decider, prompting another message from Del Potro.

“Come on, Nole! One more, come on, come on.”

When Djokovic finally secured the win after four hours and nine minutes, Del Potro couldn’t contain his excitement.

“I love you, Nole!” he said.

“Let’s go.”

Referencing his earlier post, the 37-year-old joked he ‘knew’ Djokovic and Alcaraz were going to win.

“Thank you so much, friends! I love you all so much,” said Del Potro.

“(I kinda knew it).”

Answering Del Potro’s prayers, Djokovic and Alcaraz will contest this Sunday’s Australian Open final.

But who has had the better of their rivalry so far?

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz’s head-to-head record

Djokovic leads their head-to-head 5-4 and won their sole previous meeting in Australia.

He has, however, lost both the Grand Slam finals he’s played against Alcaraz, at Wimbledon in 2023 and 2024.

Looking to avoid a third major final defeat to the Spaniard, Djokovic will need to bring his A-game to Rod Laver Arena on Sunday evening.

Tennis legends react as Novak Djokovic reaches the Australian Open final

Del Potro wasn’t the only former tennis pro glued to the TV watching Djokovic make history.

Four-time Grand Slam doubles champion, Rennae Stubbs, had this to say on her X account.

“He’s just absolutely the greatest player I’ve ever seen,” said Stubbs.

The Australian was full of praise for Djokovic throughout the match.

“Hard to believe that Novak Djokovic is possibly playing his best tennis ever right now,” she added.

“Omg, Novak Djokovic is not human!”

Coco Gauff and Andre Agassi’s former coach, Brad Gilbert, also took to X to share his thoughts on the match.

“Holy Toledo, Djoker [Novak Djokovic], with an amazing effort, takes out Sin City [Jannik Sinner] in epic five-setter,” he said.

Another doubles legend, Rohan Bopanna, was eager to comment on the day’s action on X.

“Thank god, it’s tennis,” he said.

“Everything else can wait, just a phenomenal day of high-adrenaline tennis.”

It was certainly a day to remember on Rod Laver Arena!

Only time will tell if the 2026 Australian Open men’s singles final can live up to the high standard set by the semis.

Djokovic will play Alcaraz in the final on Sunday, February 1.