MELBOURNE, Jan ‌30 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic said he had always believed he could still play at the top level ‌of tennis and rounded on those who had tried to usher him into retirement after beating ‌Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals of the Australian Open on Friday.

The 38-year-old rolled back the years with a vintage display to down the double defending champion in a five-set thriller and set up a final against Carlos Alcaraz, giving him the chance to land a first ‍Grand Slam title since September 2023.