Novak Djokovic, fresh off his French Open semi-final loss to Jannik Sinner, has revealed his initial reluctance to watch the highly anticipated final between Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Despite acknowledging the immense quality of both players, Djokovic admitted he "didn't want to watch" the match. However, he eventually relented, drawn in by his family and the compelling level of tennis on display.

Djokovic's initial hesitation likely stemmed from the disappointment of his own defeat and the potential finality of his Roland Garros journey. After losing to Sinner in straight sets, Djokovic reflected on his performance and the possibility that it could have been his last match at the French Open. He expressed feeling "a bit more emotional" at the end, savoring the atmosphere and the crowd's support. When questioned about his future participation, Djokovic admitted uncertainty, stating, "This could have been the last match I played here, so I don't know".

Despite the personal disappointment, Djokovic had high praise for both Sinner and Alcaraz. He acknowledged them as "two best players, for sure, at the moment". Following his defeat to Sinner, Djokovic recognized the Italian's exceptional performance, stating, "He was just a level better than I was tonight". He further elaborated on Sinner's relentless pressure, saying, "I felt constantly under pressure, and he didn't allow me to kind of like have time to swing through the ball. He was just constantly on the line, trying to make me defend".

Alcaraz himself recognized the significance of the Sinner-Djokovic semi-final, stating before the match, "This match is one of the best match-ups we have in tennis right now. It is going to be great tennis. I'm going to enjoy it. I'm going to take tactics from the match".

The final between Alcaraz and Sinner lived up to the hype, delivering a five-set thriller that captivated the sports world. Alcaraz emerged victorious, battling back from two sets down to win 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6. The match was the second-longest Grand Slam final in the Open Era and was filled with incredible shot-making and dramatic momentum shifts.

Many in the sports world reacted with awe at the level of play in the final. Some described the match as an "instant classic" and "one of the most incredible championship events in any sport".

While Djokovic may have initially been reluctant to watch Alcaraz and Sinner battle for the French Open title, he ultimately witnessed a match that not only showcased the immense talent of the next generation but also potentially signaled a shift in the landscape of men's tennis. With Alcaraz and Sinner leading the charge, the future of the sport appears to be in good hands, even as legends like Djokovic continue to compete at the highest level.