Zverev got his spot in the Australian Open final — play is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. local time (3:30 a.m. EST) on Sunday — when 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic stopped playing because of a leg injury just one set into their semifinal on Friday.

Novak Djokovic shared a heartfelt message to Alexander Zverev after the second seed lost in straight sets against Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open final on Sunday at the Rod Laver Arena. Sinner won 6-3,

Jannik Sinner of Italy holds the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup aloft after defeating Alexander Zverev of Germany in the men’s singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia,

Melbourne, Australia – There's all sorts of ways beyond merely the score to measure just how dominant Jannik Sinner was while outplaying and frustrating Alexander Zverev during the 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-3 victory Sunday that earned the 23-year-old Italian a second consecutive Australian Open championship.

Alexander Zverev said that Jannik Sinner is as good as Novak Djokovic at his peak and on "a different universe" after the German was well beaten in Sunday's Australian Open final.

Novak Djokovic’s remarkable story at the Australian Open may have had the most unfortunate conclusion as he limped out of the tournament in his semi-final against Alexander Zverev last week – but his legacy looks set to be secured for eternity.