In the second set, Novak Djokovic approached his bench and, without pausing, struck the head judge’s chair with a racket and shattered a microphone. It was a fleeting moment of hope for him and his team, as it signaled a remaining motivation, ambition, and fire. However, it quickly became clear that this moment was nothing more than a mirage. Djokovic appeared more subdued, perplexed, and imprecise than ever, resulting in his first defeat in the crucial stage of the Australian Open this Friday.

In all his previous semifinal appearances, Djokovic emerged victorious and claimed the title ten out of ten times. However, Jannik Sinner defeated him in a straightforward manner with a score of 6-1, 6-2, 6-7(4), and 6-3, leaving everyone in attendance questioning why. Unfortunately, no one could provide a definitive answer.

Djokovic himself acknowledged the strangeness of it all. “I was taken aback by my performance; it was in ‘shock.’ I couldn’t seem to do anything right in the first two sets. As far as I can recall, it was one of my worst matches. Playing like that was unpleasant,” admitted the reigning number one in the rankings. He also commended Sinner for completely outclassing him. Sinner didn’t allow Djokovic any opportunity to break his serve and dictated the match as desired. Out of their four recent encounters, which include two ATP Finals matches, one Davis Cup meeting, and this Friday’s Australian Open clash, the Italian emerged victorious in three occasions.

“In the first set, I already noticed that Novak wasn’t striking the ball as usual, and I was surprised. I was less focused and having a bad day. He is the best returner on the entire circuit, yet he didn’t manage to earn a single break point. That statistic is very rare for him,” analyzed Sinner, who will face Daniil Medvedev in Sunday’s final. Medvedev defeated Alexander Zverev in a grueling five-set battle: 5-7, 3-6, 7-6(4), 7-6(5), and 6-3.

Despite his disappointment in the previous tournament, the ATP Cup, Djokovic dismissed any injury to his right wrist as the reason behind his troubles in Australia. He assured that he will come back stronger in the upcoming months. With COVID-19 restrictions no longer hindering his plans, Djokovic has confirmed his presence at the Indian Wells and Miami Masters 1000 events in March, tournaments he hasn’t played since 2019. There is speculation that he might compete in the ATP 500 in Dubai before that, but it has not been officially announced. Nevertheless, after his defeat against Sinner, Djokovic wanted to alleviate the pressure for the next Grand Slam, Roland Garros, where he will arrive as the defending champion and favorite.

“If Nadal participates, he is always the favorite in Paris. Sinner and Alcaraz will also be there, and, in fact, anyone within the top 10 rankings could win. We must observe how the players develop in the coming months since Roland Garros is still far away,” commented a dispirited Djokovic who simultaneously denied any indication of his decline.

At 36 years old and with 24 Grand Slam titles, Djokovic does not yet foresee his retirement; on the contrary. For this season, as he has expressed on multiple occasions, he has an objective beyond increasing his Grand Slam count or his weeks at the number one spot: capturing gold at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. In Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Tokyo 2020, he reached the semifinals but fell short each time.

“I have great aspirations for the Olympic Games and the upcoming Grand Slams. This feeling is unfamiliar to me because most of my seasons began with a victory in Australia, but it is what it is. I haven’t performed at my usual level, but it’s not the beginning of the end. We’ll see what the rest of the year holds,” proclaimed Djokovic, touched by this Friday’s loss but not defeated forever.

Mallorca-Real Sociedad and Atlético de Madrid-Athletic Club have been drawn as the semifinal matchups for the Copa del Rey of Spain 2023/24. The draw took place at the headquarters of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) in Las Rozas. All eyes are now on Madrid and Bilbao as the matches approach.

The first semifinal between Mallorca and Real Sociedad will take place on Tuesday, February 6, at 9:00 p.m. with the second leg scheduled for Tuesday, February 27, at 9:30 p.m. at Anoeta. The second semifinal between Atlético de Madrid and Athletic Club will happen on Wednesday, February 7, at 9:30 p.m. at the Cívitas Metropolitano, with the return leg scheduled for Thursday, February 29, at 9:30 p.m. at San Mamés. The final will be held at La Cartuja stadium in Seville on Saturday, April 6.

Mallorca, the cup tournament champion in 2003, will be competing in its fifth semifinal after defeating Burgos, Tenerife, and Girona in the previous rounds. Real Sociedad, champions in 1909, 1987, and 2020, eliminated Málaga, Osasuna, and Celta to make it to this stage. These two teams met in the round of 16 in the last edition of the Cup, and Mallorca emerged victorious with a 1-0 win. Their last double matchup was in 2012, and Mallorca staged a remarkable comeback after trailing 2-0, winning 6-1. In their recent League encounter, Real Sociedad won 1-0 with a goal from Brais Méndez. They will face each other again just before the second leg at Son Moix.

Atlético de Madrid, the winner of 10 KO tournaments, overcame Lugo, Real Madrid, and Sevilla to reach the semifinals. Athletic Club, with 24 titles but none since 1984, is once again in the penultimate round after defeating Rubí, Cayón, Eibar, Alavés, and Barcelona. This will be their first cup tournament meeting in 10 years, with their last encounter in the 2013-14 quarterfinals. Atlético progressed with a 1-0 win at the Vicente Calderón and a 1-2 victory at San Mamés. In their recent League matchup, Athletic won 2-0.

One year ago, Barcelona was riding high with the Super Cup title, a strong position in the Copa del Rey, and a comfortable lead in the First Division. They had an impressive win record, scoring goals aplenty while conceding very few. However, their ongoing struggles in the Champions League led them to seek redemption in the Europa League.

Fast forward to the present, and Barcelona finds itself in a deep institutional crisis. They have already been eliminated from the Super Cup and Copa del Rey, conceding multiple goals in key matches. In the league, they trail the leaders by eight points, and their hopes of a Champions League comeback are overshadowed by doubts surrounding the team’s fragility under Xavi’s leadership.

Institutionally, the club continues to face investigations and their financial situation limits their ability to make significant signings. The current board can only bring in players on free transfers or loans. Meanwhile, the legal case surrounding the Negreira scandal has extended its reach to include middle managers within the club’s structure, with former official José María Enríquez Negreira facing direct accusations.

Economically, Barcelona is burdened by the ongoing Camp Nou remodeling project and is struggling to stabilize their accounts. This financial uncertainty, combined with recent defeats, has made Xavi’s desired signings seem almost impossible. Furthermore, failing to secure a top-two spot in the league will result in the team missing out on five million euros for the next Super Cup edition.

On the field, Barcelona’s defensive vulnerability is a cause for concern, with opponents often taking an early lead. This season, they have already conceded more goals than they did at this point last year. In terms of goal scoring, they are not far behind, but the team’s inconsistent performances have added to the pressure on Xavi, who finds himself receiving referee warnings and facing growing scrutiny.

Despite the challenges, Xavi’s position as head coach remains secure, mainly due to the limited options available to the board. The ultimate judgment will come from the Champions League, which could determine the team’s fate under Xavi’s leadership.

Experience the Atlético vs Sevilla match without longing for the past. Gone are the days of instability and relegation fears for both teams, especially for Sevilla, who are currently experiencing what Atlético had once endured. However, Atlético, led by Simeone, found their answer to the fear and uncertainty. On the other hand, Sevilla has had three coaches this year and still struggles with their position in the league. The Copa del Rey provided some relief for them, but it was short-lived.

Seville stepped onto the field with confidence, looking to mirror Atlético’s successful system. The 5-3-2 formation and cohesive teamwork resembled the popular Spiderman meme, pointing at each other with the same outfit. The match was intense and evenly matched, with standout performances from Griezmann, Ocampos, and Sevilla’s young talent, Isaac Romero. However, it was Griezmann’s unfortunate slip on the penalty spot that prevented Atlético from taking the lead. Despite Morata’s tame headers and De Paul’s near miss, the first half lacked excitement for the neutral fan.

Despite the lackluster first half, the importance of winning the Copa del Rey for Atlético was evident. In Cholo’s tenure, the Copa has been one of their most cherished titles. Although there have been disappointments in recent years, this season presents a prime opportunity for them to claim the title. As the second half progressed, the match remained heavy and uninspiring. The rivalry between Atlético and Ramos, an eternal enemy, didn’t even provoke the usual whistles from the home fans. Griezmann had a moment of brilliance with a near-goal, but it was rightly disallowed for offside.

Sevilla finally had their first shot on goal in the 63rd minute, a well-practiced free-kick that Oblak easily saved. The intensity between the two teams rose as they approached each other’s penalty areas. Surprisingly, Simeone decided to leave out his specialist attackers and instead relied on Correa and Memphis. In a play involving the two, the deadlock was finally broken. Correa’s impressive footwork in a tight space led to a deadly pass, and Memphis calmly finished to give Atlético the lead. This goal not only unlocked the match but also dealt a blow to Sevilla’s remaining aspirations for the season. Ramos had a chance to equalize, and a penalty scare from Barrios caused tension, but VAR intervened to correct the decision. Sevilla’s vertigo continues to haunt them.

Just 30 minutes after the intense quarterfinal match between Sevilla and Atlético de Madrid came to an end, the atmosphere in the press room was heavy with sadness. Quique Sánchez Flores, the Sevilla coach, entered with a solemn expression on his face, not for the missed opportunity on the field, but for a tragic event that had occurred. “I don’t feel like talking about football right now,” he said, his voice filled with grief.

The news of the death of Sevilla fans had shaken the team to its core. Quique took this press conference as an opportunity to extend his heartfelt condolences on behalf of the players, coaching staff, and leaders of Sevilla. “We have lost our beloved fans, and it deeply saddens us. Today, instead of focusing on the game, we find ourselves mourning the loss of those who came to support us. It is truly heartbreaking to play under these circumstances,” the coach expressed with a heavy heart.

Despite the sorrow that enveloped the stadium, the people of Seville honored the memory of the departed fans with a deeply respectful minute of silence. And then, they stood up bravely to face Atlético de Madrid, their arch-rivals who had just eliminated them from the round of 16 in a fierce battle. “Sevilla fought hard in this match. Their defense was solid, everything was well-organized,” commented Diego Simeone, the Atlético coach, after the game.

The match itself saw only a few scoring opportunities, with Antoine Griezmann being at the center of them all. He earned a penalty for Atlético, but unfortunately slipped during the crucial moment, failing to convert it. Later, he attempted a bicycle kick that almost found the back of the net. However, apart from these moments of excitement, the game remained largely uneventful.

Against all expectations, Simeone made some daring substitutions, bringing in Correa and Memphis. And it was these two players who ultimately scored the only goal of the match. For Memphis, it was his first goal against a top division team since August, showcasing his importance to the team. However, the game also marked a potential farewell for Ángel Correa, with rumors swirling around his departure from Atlético after nine seasons. Simeone expressed his love and admiration for Correa, stating that the team would support him in whatever decision he makes.

With this hard-fought victory, Atlético de Madrid secured their place among the top four teams in the Copa del Rey, alongside Athletic Bilbao, Real Sociedad, and Mallorca. Looking ahead, De Paul, an Atlético player, acknowledged the challenges that lie ahead, stating that the next game would be difficult. He also credited the emotional boost they gained from their victory over Madrid.

The match did not come without controversy, as a potential penalty for Sevilla was overturned by VAR. The field referee initially called it a penalty, but after reviewing the footage, the decision was reversed due to a supposed touch of the ball by Barrios. Despite the disagreement, the match concluded, leaving Atlético in a strong position to compete for the Copa del Rey title, a tournament they haven’t won since 2013.

Experience the Atlético-Sevilla match without romanticizing the past. Gone are the days of instability and relegation fears, when Atlético won the Copa del Rey and fought to stay in the top flight. Those days now belong to Sevilla, who find themselves in a similar situation. But Atlético, led by Simeone, has found stability and overcome their own vertigo. Sevilla, on the other hand, has gone through three coaches this season and continues to struggle. The Copa del Rey was their moment of relief, but that moment has passed.

The people of Seville, inspired by Simeone’s system, played with intensity and equality. The 5-3-2 formation and a united team effort mirrored Atlético’s style. Griezmann and Ocampos provided sparks of brilliance, while young Isaac Romero showcased his potential. However, it was Griezmann, the Frenchman, who stood out. He won a penalty in the 23rd minute, but unfortunately slipped on the spot and sent the ball sky-high. Despite a few chances from Morata and De Paul, the first half offered little excitement.

The Copa del Rey holds a special place in Atlético’s history, and Simeone won it in his first full season as coach. However, since then, they have only reached two semi-finals, both ending in elimination by Madrid and Barcelona. This year, with those teams already out, the Copa del Rey seems like the most attainable title for Atlético’s aspirations.

The match continued to be dull in the second half, with a lack of goal-scoring opportunities. Griezmann attempted a half-chilean that almost found the back of the net, but it was rightly ruled offside. Sevilla finally had their first shot on goal in the 63rd minute, but it was a weak effort easily saved by Oblak. Every inch of the pitch became a battleground, especially in the penalty areas. Simeone made tactical changes, leaving out Griezmann and Morata, while Correa may have played his last game for Atlético. And it was in a play between Correa and Memphis that Atlético managed to score the decisive goal. A clever move from Correa in the box and a perfect pass set up the Dutchman to break the deadlock. This goal dashed Sevilla’s last hope for the season. Ramos had a chance to equalize, but his goal was disallowed after a VAR review. Sevilla’s vertigo continues.