Australian Open 2020: Novak Djokovic pays tribute to Roger Federer after stunning semi final victory
Novak Djokovic stormed into his eighth Australian Open final, and left Roger Federer thinking hard about his future, after taming the Swiss superstar in a one-sided semifinal at the Australian Open.
Richard Evans, Liam Twomey, Joe Barton and Michael Randall
2 min read
January 31, 2020 - 6:56AM
Novak Djokovic defeated Roger Federer to make his way into another Australian Open Final.
Novak Djokovic complimented his great rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal with helping take his own game to another level.
"These two guys have definitely made a significant difference in my mind and understanding my own game and what it takes to really win against them," he said.
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"At the beginning I remember when I won my first grand slam here in 2008, after that it was three very tough years for me because every time I would get to a big match, finals or semis or Grand Slam, I would lose to one of these two guys. It took a lot of thinking and a lot of belief to – and of course a lot of work – to perfect the game and challenge those guys on a bigger scale."
Novak Djokovic defeated Roger Federer to make his way into another Australian Open Final.
In the 50th instalment of one of sport’s greatest rivalries, the Serb shrugged off a tentative start to reinforce his recent dominance, showing no mercy to the injury-hit Swiss maestro in a 7-6 (7/1) 6-4 6-3 win.
He will play either fifth seed Dominic Thiem or seventh-ranked German Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s final, but it will take a monumental effort to prise another title from the 32-year-old.
Of the seven Melbourne finals Djokovic has made, he has won them all. If any extra motivation was needed, winning on Sunday will see the Serb reclaim the number one ranking after Thiem sent Rafael Nadal packing in the last eight.
The Serb had nothing but the utmost respect for Federer for continuing to play in a semi-final he came into injured.
“I (had) retirements throughout my career. I know how it feels when you're hurt on the court", he said.
"I know the thoughts that go through your mind whether or not you should continue or not, whether it's going to get worse.
Is this the final time the two great rivals will play?
"I think it's an amazing fact that he has never retired, not a single match, throughout his career.
"Huge respect for that.”
Federer’s injury did affect how Djokovic approached the first few games he said.
“I was trying to focus on myself, (I had) been told by the team to prioritize my own things rather than really thinking about how he's feeling or how he's going to move," Djokovic said.
"But it's easier said than done. When I was on the court at the beginning, I was really paying too much attention on his movement, what he was really doing.
"Obviously he was hurting, you could see it in his movement.
Roger Federer fought through injury to take on Djokovic.
"I still think he played pretty well. I don't know to what degree his injury is but when you're feeling a little bit hurt, you kind of go for your shots even more."
The inaugural inter-nation ATP Cup this month has turned out to be the perfect practice for his Australian Open campaign Djokovic said.
“(It) went really well for me, got a lot of hours spent on the court, singles and doubles. It was a great lead-up for the Open. Obviously (I) got a lot of positive energy from that competition. "
Updates
FED'S LAST AUS OPEN STAND?
Michael Randall
-RICHARD EVANS
When Roger Federer next tries to win another major, in France or at Wimbledon, he will be close to 39-years-old.
Moving the dial from 20 to 21 titles is now looking not so much unlikely, as nigh on impossible.
The Swiss, as great a player ever to have waved a tennis racquet, looks done. Novak Djokovic at almost six years younger, was cast in the role of executioner on Rod Laver Arena as Federer noticeably slipped a rung, probably two.
And against the Serb, now closing in on his eighth Australian Open, that is not enough, Djokovic the winner 7-6 (1), 6-4, 6-3 and Federer is gone from the Australian Open 2020.
He's already won it seven times, including last year.
Win on Sunday and he'll depose Rafael Nadal from the No.1 spot.
An early Roger Federer blitz could have blasted Novak Djokovic off Rod Laver Arena.
But the Serbian sensation managed to get things back on his terms.
"It could have definitely gone a different way if he used those break points," Djokovic said after the match.
"He started off really well. I was pretty nervous at the beginning."
Djokovic paid tribute to Federer, who was forced to call a medical timeout for treatment to his weary body, after his straight sets win.
"You know, I just want to say respect to Roger for coming out tonight," he said.
"He was obviously hurt and wasn't at his best, even close to his best in terms of movement.
"Respect for coming out and trying his best all the way through."
Djokovic said Federer and Nadal had helped him take his game to another level.
"He is one of my two biggest rivals throughout my life," Djokovic said.
"I've played matches at the Grand Slams against Rafa and Roger, so these two guys have definitely made a significant difference in my mind and understanding my own game and what it takes to really win against them.
"At the beginning I remember when I won my first Grand Slam title here in 2008, after that it was three very tough years for me because every time I would get to a big match, finals or semis or Grand Slam, I would lose to one of these two guys.
"It took a lot of thinking and a lot of belief to – and of course a lot of work – to perfect the game and challenge those guys on a bigger scale."
Relieved Djoker's respect for Fed
Michael Randall
An early Roger Federer blitz could have blasted Novak Djokovic off Rod Laver Arena.
But the Serbian sensation managed to get things back on his terms.
"It could have definitely gone a different way if he used those break points," Djokovic said after the match.
"He started off really well. I was pretty nervous at the beginning."
Djokovic paid tribute to Federer, who was forced to call a medical timeout for treatment to his weary body, after his straight sets win.
"You know, I just want to say respect to Roger for coming out tonight," he said.
"He was obviously hurt and wasn't at his best, even close to his best in terms of movement.
"Respect for coming out and trying his best all the way through."
Djokovic said Federer and Nadal had helped him take his game to another level.
"He is one of my two biggest rivals throughout my life," Djokovic said.
"I've played matches at the Grand Slams against Rafa and Roger, so these two guys have definitely made a significant difference in my mind and understanding my own game and what it takes to really win against them.
"At the beginning I remember when I won my first Grand Slam title here in 2008, after that it was three very tough years for me because every time I would get to a big match, finals or semis or Grand Slam, I would lose to one of these two guys.
"It took a lot of thinking and a lot of belief to – and of course a lot of work – to perfect the game and challenge those guys on a bigger scale."
DJOKOVIC WINS v Fed - 7-6(7-1), 6-4, 6-3
Michael Randall
Djokovic just blasted Federer off the court. You don't see this often.
Fed was clearly laboured, from a gruelling run to the semi finals, but he's still played some incredible tennis.
He's already won it seven times, including last year.
Win on Sunday and he'll depose Rafael Nadal from the No.1 spot.
Just a very faint sign of life for Fed, but Djoker serves for a place in the final.
Fed's pulling out all the stops. He goes up 30-0 on Novak's service game with ultra aggression to try to shorten the points and power himself back into the match.
But Djoker's up to the task and is now one game away from yet another Australian Open Final.
Djokovic v Fed - 7-6(7-1), 6-4, 5-3
Michael Randall
Just a very faint sign of life for Fed, but Djoker serves for a place in the final.
Djokovic v Fed - 7-6(7-1), 6-4, 5-2
Michael Randall
Fed's pulling out all the stops. He goes up 30-0 on Novak's service game with ultra aggression to try to shorten the points and power himself back into the match.
But Djoker's up to the task and is now one game away from yet another Australian Open Final.
Djokovic breaks v Fed - 7-6(7-1), 6-4, 4-2
Michael Randall
Novak can see the finish line.
A stunning cross court passing shot makes good on the break point and the end is nigh.
It's cooled down a bit in Rod Laver – and that's to the detriment of the Fed, unfortunately.
The ball speed's slowed down and the Djoker is getting everything back.
