Novak Djokovic’s Ex-Coach Sends Warning to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner After Australian Open

Novak Djokovic’s ex-coach Riccardo Piatti has sent a huge warning to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner after the Serbian legend’s incredible run at the Australian Open. Djokovic stunned the tennis world with his unbelievable performance in Melbourne, where he reached the final of the tournament for the first time since 2023.

Djokovic had entered the tournament without a warm-up tournament, having withdrawn from the Adelaide International due to fitness. There were expectations that the tournament would once again be dominated by Alcaraz and Sinner, who met each other in three of the four Grand Slams on tour last season.

In fact, analysts had given no hope of Djokovic reaching another Grand Slam final, particularly at the Australian Open. But the 38-year-old kicked off his campaign in Melbourne with an easy win over Pedro Martinez, Francesco Maestrelli, and Botic van de Zandschulp. He then earned a walkover after Jakub Mensik withdrew due to an injury.

In the quarter-finals, he was down to sets before Lorenzo Musetti retired due to a left leg injury. Djokovic faced Sinner in the semi-finals and produced one of the most stellar performances of the ages, beating the Italian star and defending champion in five sets. It was his first win over Sinner in the past two years.

However, he lost to Alcaraz in the final, leaving him empty-handed as he left Melbourne. However, his performance was a reminder of how good he is on the court. During an interview with L’Equipe, Piatti noted that Sinner and Alcaraz will now have to be careful not to underrate Djokovic in a Grand Slam tournament:

If he continues, it’s because he believes he can always improve. Roland Garros will necessarily be more challenging for him, but we shouldn’t forget him if an opportunity arises at Wimbledon. What I do know is that by the end of this Australian Open, Novak will be back, the most obsessed with his tennis. I just hope he stays healthy and can prepare as well as possible. Then he might have another chance. Jannik and Carlos would do well to be careful.

Djokovic hired Piatti at the beginning of his career, just years after making his professional debut. He worked with the coach from 2005 to 2006, two years before claiming his maiden Grand Slam at the Australian Open. However, Piatti worked with Sinner for seven years before the pair parted ways in 2022, with Sinner hiring his current coach, Darren Cahill.

Riccardo Piatti says Novak Djokovic’s flaw in the Australian Open final was his age

Novak Djokovic was on course to make history at the Australian Open when he faced Carlos Alcaraz in the final. The former World No.1 won the first set in their clash at the Rod Laver Arena, before Alcaraz responded by winning three consecutive sets to claim his maiden championship in Melbourne.

The win took Alcaraz’s head-to-head record against Djokovic to 5-5 on tour. During the aforementioned interview, Riccardo Piatti revealed that Djokovic’s major problem in the match against Alcaraz was his age. He added that the Serbian legend’s love for the sport has been a motivation:

In the final, we saw again that Novak’s only problem was his age and, therefore, his physical condition. I respect his efforts to prepare himself again for these big events, and I respect him even more after this tournament. He loves this sport and wants to be very competitive. I’m surprised he lost, but it’s simply because Alcaraz was a better player.

Djokovic will take a two-week break from the tour, with a return to the court expected at the Qatar Open. The ATP 500 tournament will kick off on February 16 and end on the 21st. Djokovic crashed out in the opening rounds of the tournament last year after losing to Matteo Berrettini.

Also Read: What is the prize money for the 2026 Doha TotalEnergies Open?

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Join our newsletter to receive exclusive updates and curated insights directly to your inbox.

Subscribe NOW