Novak Djokovic remains optimistic about his chances of competing against Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the upcoming tournaments, despite acknowledging their current dominance in men’s tennis. Djokovic, who will be participating in the Shanghai Masters after his semi-final loss to Alcaraz at the US Open, expressed that witnessing the success of Alcaraz and Sinner is “not discouraging.”
As a four-time champion of the Shanghai Masters and making his 14th main-draw appearance at the event, Djokovic is eager to finish the season strong. The 24-time Grand Slam winner has faced challenges in navigating past Alcaraz and Sinner, who have collectively claimed the last eight Grand Slam titles, with four each.
Reflecting on the difficulties of competing against these rising stars, Djokovic noted that the physical demands of best-of-five match formats significantly impact his performance. “If you’re physically not at your 100 percent against these guys, you feel like you’re half a step slower, and that affects your entire game,” he said. Djokovic is hopeful about his prospects in best-of-three set matches, where he feels he may fare better due to less physical strain.
After his exit from the US Open, Djokovic reiterated his determination to keep fighting for Grand Slam titles, acknowledging that both Sinner and Alcaraz are currently “too good.” He admitted to running out of gas in the later stages of his matches against them but remains committed to his training in hopes of reclaiming his competitive edge.
Djokovic is not only focused on winning matches but also on his goal of achieving a 25th Grand Slam title. He recognizes the growing difficulty of this quest with each passing tournament. Sky Sports pundits echoed these sentiments, with Jonathan Overend commenting on the increasing challenge Djokovic faces, while Ryan Harrison expressed uncertainty over whether the seasoned player will return to the court.
Martina Navratilova offered her sympathy, noting the physical challenges that accompany aging in professional tennis. She highlighted that even with the same effort and strategy, the execution can falter as players age, a frustration many elite athletes face.
With upcoming tournaments ahead, there remains a sense of hope that Djokovic can harness his experience and skill to challenge his rivals and achieve more historic milestones in his illustrious career. The tennis community looks forward to seeing how he adapts his game to confront the shifting landscape of men’s tennis led by Alcaraz and Sinner.