The miracle is that Novak Djokovic is still putting himself in positions to win Grand Slams. Reaching the 2025 French Open semifinals is an accomplishment. The 38-year-old could have retired two years ago and begun enjoying life.
He is arguably the greatest player that ever played, having spent more weeks as ATP No. 1 than anyone else, more majors won (24), and more Masters 1000s titles (40). He remains a force on the tour.
But he is no longer going to compete for the top ranking, and he might never win a Grand Slam again. The men's tennis world now belongs to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. In the Roland Garros semis, Djokovic faced top-ranked Sinner, and he hung in well.
Jannik Sinner defeats Novak Djokovic to set up French Open final versus Carlos Alcaraz
Sinner took the first set with efficient ruthlessness. He never faced a break point but got one break off of Djokovic, and that was enough to win the set 6-4.
Sinner got another break off Djokovic midway through the second set, and as the Italian had not faced a break point yet, he seemed well on his way to a victory and a spot in the final. Not so fast. Sinner serving for the set at 5-4, he finally broke Sinner to even the set at 5-all.
But Sinner is, in many ways, the new Djokovic, and his ability to return well changes the outcomes of matches. He moves as well as any player on tour, and hits with more power than Djokovic ever did. The Italian got the break right back and held serve to lead the match 6-4 7-5. At that point, the outcome seemed certain.
Djokovic did not go away quietly though. He forced the third set to a tie-break, and made things difficult during Sinner's service games. But just like the character of Benny Blanco in Carlito's Way, Sinner proved the younger guy was in charge of the situation now. Djokovic is an all-time great, but Sinner is better right now. The Italian took the third-set tie-break 7-3.
Jannik Sinner will next face his likely long-term nemesis in the French Open final, Carlos Alcaraz. The two players have been the overall best players on the tour for most of two years, and will probably continue to be for much of the next decade. Alcaraz should have the advantage in the final, though, as he has been the better player on clay throughout his career.