An exhausted but delighted Djokovic said afterwards that he “won that match with a racquet and a lot of heart”.
It is a sentiment that sums up the latter half of his career. Djokovic’s movement is still sublime, his shots still potent, but his body has not always held up.
Against Auger-Aliassime, an innocuous slide to a backhand led to him tweaking his left calf and needing a medical timeout.
His movement was hindered for the rest of the first set, particularly on serve, but he was helped on his way to taking the opener by a series of errors from the Canadian.
But five hours later, Djokovic was still moving around the court as well as ever.
“I’ve been watching this guy for 20 years and time and time again, in the biggest moments, he delivers,” former British number one Tim Henman said on BBC TV.
“This is the response we have all come to expect from Novak Djokovic.”
Moments like these are ones to be cherished.
Djokovic is the last player standing from the ‘Big Three’ era. It has taken the retirements of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for some to realise how special Djokovic is, and how lucky tennis is to have him.
Beyond Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz’s generational rivalry, the ATP Tour struggles to have players challenging for the majors or to cut through and captivate the wider public.
Djokovic is the one still taking it to the youngsters. He beat Sinner at the Australian Open in Melbourne and took a set off Alcaraz in the final.
He has done what others cannot – beaten both players in recent years, despite them in theory having youth, power and speed on their side.
Asked afterwards if he is surprised by his level, Djokovic said: “Yes and no.
“I guess yes, at this stage that I’m still able to battle these young guys that have 15 years less than me, that I’m able to beat them at the tightest possible scoreline.
“In a sense, it is really a nice surprise. But at the same time, I always have the highest expectations for myself.
“I can be very self-critical, very hard on myself. But I try to enjoy the moments like this.”
