Plant-Based Novak Djokovic Beats Sinner to Become the Oldest Man to Reach the Australian Open Final

Novak Djokovic has done it again. The 38-year-old beat two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner 3-6 6-3 4-6 6-4 6-4 in Friday's semi-final in Melbourne to become the oldest man ever to reach the Australian Open final, tournament records show.

At 38 years and 255 days, he is also the oldest man to reach any Grand Slam final since Ken Rosewall at the 1974 US Open. Djokovic came from a set down twice against a player 14 years younger, and ended Sinner's run of five straight major finals. He meets world number one Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday's final, chasing a record 25th Grand Slam singles title and an 11th in Melbourne.

His fortnight had its share of luck. Jakub Mensik withdrew injured before their fourth-round match, and Lorenzo Musetti retired hurt in the quarter-finals when he was two sets up. Earlier in the tournament he set a record for Australian Open match wins, passing Roger Federer. Before the semi-final, Djokovic said he did not know if the short matches had left him fresh or undercooked, BBC Sport reported:

I know that if I'm feeling well and the body is holding on and I'm playing well, then I always have a chance.

The body held on. Djokovic has eaten a mainly plant-based diet for years, though he has said he eats a little fish now and then. He has credited it with helping him succeed, and after reaching the 2020 final here he told reporters, VegNews reported:

I'm very pleased to be plant-based and play at this level. There's been a lot of criticism. People around me didn't really think that I could do that.

In November Djokovic became the oldest champion of the ATP Tour era in Athens. Earlier this month Venus Williams became the oldest woman ever in the Melbourne singles draw, and Hubert Hurkacz won the United Cup on his comeback. Djokovic has won here ten times.

Thirty-eight and still going. Powered by plants (and the odd bit of fish).