Novak Djokovic signals final warning to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz despite ‘limited’ remaining opportunities

Novak Djokovic holds a 0-1 record against Jannik Sinner and a 1-1 record against Carlos Alcaraz this season.

Novak Djokovic signals final warning to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz despite ‘limited’ remaining opportunities

L: Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, R: Novak Djokovic (Image via Imago/X)

World No. 4 Novak Djokovic has signaled warning signs to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz despite being in the twilight of his career. This comes at the back of the Serb chasing a mammoth 100th ATP singles title this week in Shanghai.

Djokovic has not had a remark year by his standards, going without a Grand Slam title just for the second time since 2011. However, he won the Olympic Gold medal in Paris, defeating Alcaraz in the penultimate match.

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It means a lot because I don’t have many opportunities left. I have a very selective schedule. This year I haven’t played at my best all year, apart from a few special occasions like Wimbledon and the Olympic Games. In China, I have always played my best tennis over the years.

Novak Djokovic said in an interview (H/T Corriere dello Sport)

The comments may have been an indirect signal to the young guns like Sinner and Alcaraz, who have, in their own ways, stopped Nole’s dominance of 2023. Djokovic has had his fair share of problems in 2024. Nole came into this year holding three of the four Grand Slam titles, but has seen all of them relinquished to Sinner and Alcaraz, respectively.

Moreover, the 37-year-old has also seen his World No.1 ranking taken away from him in June. Sinner is confirmed to end the season as the World No.1 after Alcaraz’s loss in the Shanghai quarterfinals. The Italian is only the third player outside the Big 3 to achieve this milestone since 2004.

Novak Djokovic shares knee update in Shanghai

Novak Djokovic has dismissed injury concerns as he gears up for the penultimate matches in the Shanghai Masters. The 24-time Grand Slam title winner will battle Taylor Fritz in the semifinals on Saturday (October 12). He shared his health update with the media on account of this.

Novak Djokovic (4)
Novak Djokovic (Image via X)

How am I? After those two points (in the sixth game of the third set, ed.), things went well. I hope there are no more problems because I already had problems with my right knee and that would not be nice. Let’s see what happens tomorrow. I think I played very well in this tournament.

Novak Djokovic said in his post-match press conference

Physical issues have been a factor in Djokovic’s poor form in 2024, as he tore his meniscus during his Roland Garros campaign. Djokovic withdrew from the French Open quarterfinals to focus on becoming fully fit for Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics.

Michelsen put me to the test in the first round, then I had difficult matches against big hitters. Tomorrow I will meet another one, Taylor Fritz, so I have to be ready for another tight, tough match. The conditions here are fast, if you serve well you have a good advantage. I know what to expect, but I hope I can come to the match fresh. We are in the semifinals, it’s time to raise the bar even more .

Novak Djokovic added

Since then, Djokovic has been playing with a strapped right leg but has managed to remain competitive. After this setback, he reached the Wimbledon final, won gold in Paris, and has looked strong in Shanghai so far.

Djokovic hasn’t played much since winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics. Between the Olympic Games and Shanghai, Nole only competed at the US Open, where he lost to Alexei Popyrin in the third round.