24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has admitted that he obtained a “slap from actuality within the final couple of years” after constantly shedding to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at Grand Slams within the final two years. The duo has break up the final eight slams between them, thereby marking the beginning of a brand new rivalry following the retirements of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Djokovic’s final slam win was the 2023 US Open, following which the search for his record-breaking twenty fifth slam has been halted by Sinner and Alcaraz equally dividing the slams between them.
“I consider that to some extent I’m the superman who can by no means injure myself, that may by no means be weak. However I obtained a slap from actuality within the final couple of years. I’m simply attending to know this new chapter,” Djokovic advised Piers Morgan in an interview.
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The Serbian has misplaced his final 5 conferences to Sinner, together with at three Grand Slams, along with his final win over the Italian coming within the 2023 ATP Finals. He has a barely higher report towards Alcaraz, towards whom he leads the head-to-head 5-4, and beat him on the 2025 Australian Open quarter-final earlier than shedding within the 2025 US Open semi-final.
The 2024 Paris Olympics gold medalist admitted each Sinner and Alcaraz have been at a distinct stage as in comparison with him. Nevertheless, he did say that when he walked out to the courtroom, he didn’t take into consideration his opponent and solely appeared to place his greatest foot ahead.
“I’m conscious that [comparing] my greatest stage now and their greatest stage now, they’re higher. That’s the fact. I’ve at all times believed in issues which can be virtually inconceivable to attain. I do have doubts that I can win Slams towards these two guys. However after I enter the courtroom, I don’t care who’s throughout the web. I at all times consider I’m higher and I need to win,” he mentioned.