Novak Djokovic reflects on the ‘incredible’ rivalry between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz
Novak Djokovic has contested against both Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz this season, having a 1-3 H2H record.
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L: Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, R: Novak Djokovic (Image via Imago/X)
24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has shared his thoughts on the exciting rivalry between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. The duo has been the standout performer of 2024 and is likely to finish in the top two spots of the ATP rankings.
Speaking upon his arrival in Saudi Arabia, Djokovic mentioned that audiences are more drawn to rivalries than to the game itself, and the Sinner-Alcaraz rivalry has the potential to bring more attention to the sport. The Serbian has faced both players four times in 2024, with a 1-3 head-to-head record across all competitions.
I don’t think it’s that black and white — because if it is, I consider myself belonging to the older guard, unable to compete with the younger guys. It’s definitely a transition, but it takes time. It’s a natural process, and people have been talking about it for many years. Now we have younger guys, yes, but also we have the generation that is not the youngest: [Alexander] Zverev, [Daniil] Medvedev, [Stefanos] Tsitsipas.
Novak Djokovic said in an interview with Vogue
Djokovic’s only win against either Sinner or Alcaraz in 2024 came in the Olympic gold medal match. The 37-year-old defeated Alcaraz in straight sets, capturing the last missing piece of his career achievements.
Those guys were or are all top-10; Medvedev has been No 1. They’re going to stay up top for a while, along with the younger ones. But I think you’re thinking of Alcaraz and Sinner. They’ve developed an incredible rivalry in the last 12 months, and rivalries are what really attract a lot of attention to the sport. People that don’t necessarily even follow tennis, per se, they do follow rivalries; they follow contrasts.
Novak Djokovic added
Beyond that, 2024 has been dominated by Sinner and Alcaraz. The two have claimed all four Grand Slam titles, with Sinner winning the Australian Open and the US Open, while Alcaraz secured victories at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.
Novak Djokovic reflects on the GOAT debate
In a recent interview with Sportal.blic ahead of the Six Kings Slam, Novak Djokovic touched on various aspects of his career. He spoke about his early days in tennis, his rise to the top, and what he envisions for the future. Naturally, the conversation led to a familiar topic: who he thinks is the greatest tennis player of all time.
I think it became important and present only about five to seven years ago. If arguing about who is the GOAT is something that people who follow tennis are really interested in, I’m all for it. And I like it. I won’t say what I think about it and who the GOAT is. I leave that to the people to discuss. I have to show respect to the earlier generations, tennis as a sport has developed and progressed a lot, even the racket itself has changed and that is why it is very difficult to say.
Novak Djokovic said in an interview with Sportal.blic
Despite all his achievements, Djokovic humbly avoided calling himself the best. Instead, he reflected on the broader debate, knowing that fans of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal would also argue passionately for their favorites. The Serbian’s humility stands out, especially given his legendary career and record-breaking accomplishments, which would easily justify naming himself.
The debate over who is the greatest isn’t limited to just Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal. Tennis fans also bring up other iconic players, like Serena Williams, who has made a massive impact on the sport. But Djokovic, like the other legends, rarely engages in such discussions, preferring to let his performance on the court speak for itself.
Even after his recent loss to Jannik Sinner in the Shanghai Masters final, Djokovic showed his gracious character. Instead of dwelling on the defeat, he praised Sinner’s performance, showcasing the sportsmanship that has become a key part of his legacy. Whether in victory or loss, Djokovic continues to solidify his reputation as one of tennis’s most respected champions.
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Fahad Hamid
(649 Articles Published)