Novak Djokovic Makes ‘Difficult’ Admission About New Rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz After Retirements of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

Novak Djokovic could square off against Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the semifinal and final of the US Open.

Novak Djokovic Makes ‘Difficult’ Admission About New Rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz After Retirements of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal (Image via X/t2, Jannik Sinner HQ)

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Novak Djokovic has often admitted that the retirements of his biggest rivals, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, have affected his motivation level. The Swiss maestro called time on his career at the 2022 Laver Cup, while the King of Clay followed suit at the 2024 Davis Cup after Spain’s defeat to the Netherlands.

Djokovic is the only member of the Big 3 yet to hang up his racket. He last won a Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open. Since then, the two youngsters, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, have won the last seven Majors. But Djokovic has stated that he suffered a drop in his motivation level after the retirements of his old rivals. During an interview on the Jay Shetty Podcast, the 38-year-old said:

Now that Nadal, Federer, and Murray have retired, a part of me left with them, and I felt that I thought it wouldn’t be difficult to shift my focus to my new rivals, but it was very difficult. It’s an experience I had never had before living on the circuit, but what I always tell the new generation is that I am here to help them and share my experience. I know it’s difficult because we compete against each other, but I feel it’s my responsibility because we all want to improve tennis.

The Serb is in New York chasing his historic 25th Major. In the first round, he knocked out 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals runner-up Learner Tien in straight sets. He will next square off against America’s Zachary Svajda. The last time he reached a Grand Slam final was at the 2024 Wimbledon, where Alcaraz beat him in straight sets.

Alcaraz and Sinner have also started their campaign and beat Reilly Opelka and Vit Kopriva, respectively. The Spaniard is bidding to win his seventh title of the season as well as his second one at the US Open (won in 2022).

Sinner is playing as the defending champion and will square off against Alexei Popyrin. The five-time Grand Slam champion will meet Mattia Bellucci. Djokovic is projected to face Alcaraz in the semifinal and Sinner in the final.

Novak Djokovic still wants to make history

This season, Novak Djokovic reached the semifinals of the first three Majors. At the Australian Open, an injury forced him to give the walkover to World No.1 Alexander Zverev, while at Wimbledon and the French Open, Jannik Sinner knocked him out in straight sets.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (Image via X/TNT Sports)

Djokovic has reached the twilight of his career but is still hungry to achieve more. Even though fitness issues have been stopping him from achieving more, he wants to continue fighting.

I have achieved everything I was looking for in tennis, but I want more. And that comes from purpose, inspiration, motivation, and love, and passion for the sport and for making people happy when they see you playing tennis.

Novak Djokovic said on the Jay Shetty Podcast

Djokovic is playing the US Open without much match practice as he skipped both the Masters 1000 events on the North American hardcourt swing. The US Open is his first tournament since his defeat to Sinner at SW19. In New York, Djokovic has won four titles. Last year, his run ended in the third round.

This year, he has so far played two finals and won one title. He lost the Miami Open final to Jakub Mensik, while at the Geneva Open, he defeated Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz to clinch his career’s 100th singles title. The last big title he won was the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medal by defeating Alcaraz. Also, the last time he clinched two or more titles was in 2023.

Also read: Jannik Sinner Gives Hilarious Response to Carlos Alcaraz’s New Haircut at the US Open