Two years ago, Novak Djokovic reached his 11th semi-final at Roland Garros and earned an impressive record, sharing it with Roger Federer and Jimmy ConnorsSince the start of the Open era in 1968, only 16 players have reached 11 Major semi-finals.
Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Jimmy Connors lead the charts. Also, they are the only competitors with at least 11 semi-finals at a single Major, which is an extremely difficult feat. To make a list even more exclusive, we can find only three players with 11 semi-finals at two different Majors, with little chance of adding more names to the group in the years or decades to come.
Jimmy Connors achieved that at the US Open and Wimbledon, staying competitive at both Majors for years and waiting for decades to get a company on the list. Roger Federer joined him in style, with 15 Australian Open semi-finals and 13 at Wimbledon.
Roger could have become the first player with 11 semi-finals at three Majors. However, he lost ground at the US Open after five consecutive titles between 2004-2008, not playing that well in New York in the last decade. Novak Djokovic has been Known as one of the most consistent players at Majors.
The Serb secured at least ten semi-finals at all four prominent events of our sport as the only player to achieve that.
Novak Djokovic became the third player with 11 semi-finals at two Majors.
In June 2021, Djokovic had 11 semi-finals at the US Open, repeating that at Roland Garros after beating Matteo Berrettini in the quarter-final.
Novak took down Matteo 6-3, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5 in three and a half hours. He played at a high level and avoided the fourth set tie break to bring the victory home and advance into his 11th Roland Garros semi-final. The Serb had the upper hand on serve and return, taming his strokes nicely and defending all three break points in the first set to keep the pressure on the other side.
Novak had a massive advantage in the opening two sets before Berrettini found his A-game in the third. The Italian served well to reach the tie break and took advantage of Novak’s two massive mistakes in the closing stages to extend the duel.
Staying composed, Djokovic delivered a late break in the fourth set to seal the deal and advance into his milestone 40th Major semi-final.