Aus Open Day 13 - Djokovic vs Alcaraz, for history

·1 hr 6 min·5 clips

Novak Djokovic, at 38, defies gravity to set up a final against Carlos Alcaraz for Grand Slam history.

The Tennis Podcast panel recaps day 13 at the Australian Open after two epic semifinals produced nine hours and 36 minutes of tennis. Carlos Alcaraz defeated Alexander Zverev 6-4, 7-6, 6-7, 6-7, 7-5 in the longest semifinal in Australian Open history at five hours and 27 minutes, followed by 38-year-old Novak Djokovic defeating two-time defending champion Yannick Sinner in five exhilarating sets. Sunday's final pits 22-year-old Alcaraz attempting to become the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam against Djokovic shooting for an outright record 25th Grand Slam title and to become the oldest major champion in the Open Era. Djokovic played with unprecedented aggression against Sinner, hitting over 20 forehand winners down the line and pulling the trigger first in rallies. The panel notes this was both vintage Djokovic and something new, as he dictated play on his terms in a way he hadn't against Sinner in years, breaking a five-match losing streak in the rivalry. Sinner converted only 2 of 18 break points and appeared shaken by Djokovic's level, particularly in sets four and five. Djokovic's spot serving was described as "outrageously good," and he held from love-40 down in the final set while roaring and engaging the crowd. The most dramatic moment came when Djokovic missed a straightforward match point midcourt putaway on a perfect serve setup, but immediately responded with a perfect first serve to secure a second match point and close out the match. Two fans dressed as mustard and ketchup bottles were relocated from the back row to courtside during the match. Djokovic said post-match "it feels like winning tonight" when asked about the final, expressing concern about having "enough gas for Sunday." Alcaraz appeared to be cruising after winning the first two sets against Zverev but began cramping severely in the third set. He managed the situation with remarkable maturity, stripping back his movement while still hitting outrageous winners including drop shots while standing still. Alcaraz celebrated incremental victories and galvanized crowd support, telling himself "poco a poco" (little by little) and maintaining belief through missed break point opportunities in the fifth set, eventually breaking Zverev who "ran out of gas." The panel draws parallels to Alcaraz's French Open final comeback, describing both as acts of escapology and suggesting the cramp management showed post-Ferrero maturity. Charlie Eccleshare wrote thousands of words covering multiple potential outcomes during the Alcaraz match. The hosts theorize that Alcaraz's five-hour struggle may have inspired Djokovic's belief, suggesting momentum "catches" across tournaments. The tone is energized and somewhat incredulous, with hosts repeatedly expressing disbelief at Djokovic's level and Alcaraz's physical management. Matt Bittman admits to "eating my words" after doubting Djokovic could find peak form. The conversation is analytical yet passionate, processing events that exceeded expectations after 12 days of disappointing matches. This episode serves tennis fans seeking detailed tactical analysis of historic matches, those interested in sports psychology and physical management under pressure, and anyone following Djokovic's late-career defiance of aging or Alcaraz's maturation. The discussion offers insider perspective on how both players managed extreme adversity.

As heard by us

A wired Melbourne nightcap on Alcaraz outlasting Zverev, with Djokovic and history waiting in the background.

Australian Open Day 13 finally gives The Tennis Podcast the chaos it had been waiting for, with the team recording in Melbourne at 2:20 in the morning after Carlos Alcaraz beat Alexander Zverev in the longest semifinal in Australian Open history.

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Why you'd press play

You want the Melbourne night that went from bonkers to historic.

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