Novak Djokovic, after his US Open semifinal defeat, has acknowledged the growing dominance of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, admitting that overcoming them in Grand Slams is becoming increasingly difficult. The 38-year-old Serbian superstar, chasing a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title, recognizes the physical toll of competing against the younger stars in best-of-five set matches.
Djokovic's concerns come after a season where he reached the semi-finals of all four majors but failed to win any of them. He lost to Alcaraz in the US Open semi-final and the Australian Open quarter-final and to Sinner in the French Open and Wimbledon semi-finals. Despite these setbacks, Djokovic insists he is not giving up on his Grand Slam quest. "I'm going to continue fighting and trying to get to the finals and fight for another trophy at least," he affirmed. However, he also added, "it will be very difficult for me in the future to overcome the hurdle of Sinner, Alcaraz, in the best-of-five on the Grand Slams. I think I have a better chance best-of-three, but best-of-five, it's tough".
Djokovic has praised the rivalry between Sinner and Alcaraz, recognizing its importance for tennis. He noted the excitement their matches generate and the energy they bring to the court. "I think their rivalry is amazing," Djokovic said. "What they have done in the previous two years is, you know, remarkable for both of these players... their rivalry is, without a doubt, the best one we have at the moment". He also drew parallels between their rivalry and the legendary Federer-Nadal rivalry.
Despite acknowledging the challenge, Djokovic remains determined to compete at the highest level. He emphasized his consistent performance at Grand Slams this season and his desire to "spoil" the anticipated Alcaraz-Sinner final. "Everyone is anticipating the final between them, and I will try to mess up those plans," Djokovic stated.
Djokovic hopes to see another player challenge Sinner and Alcaraz, much like he challenged Federer and Nadal in the past. He mentioned Holger Rune and Arthur Fils as potential contenders who could "get in the mix".
Alcaraz himself has acknowledged Djokovic's hunger and ambition, anticipating a tough semi-final clash at the US Open. "We all know Novak's game," Alcaraz said. "I know he's hungry. I know his ambition for more, so let's see. I know I played a lot of times against him. I really want to [get] revenge".
Looking ahead, Djokovic's schedule remains uncertain, except for his plan to play at the Athens Olympics. He is prioritizing his fitness and carefully considering his tournament commitments. While acknowledging the difficulty of overcoming Sinner and Alcaraz in Grand Slams, Djokovic's passion for the sport and the support from his fans continue to fuel his determination.