There was a time when Novak Djokovic’s dominance on a tennis court seemed untouchable—a force of nature that even the most gifted challengers couldn’t crack. But in 2025, the Serbian legend appears to be facing something new: a future where the baton might slowly be slipping from his grasp. 

In a candid reflection during an interview with Piers Morgan, the 24-time Grand Slam champion stunned his fans across the tennis world by admitting that he’s not entirely sure if another major title is still within his reach—at least not in an era ruled by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Djokovic has reached the SFs of each of the major tournaments this year, but guess what? In three out of those four occasions, his journey came to an end at the hands of either Sinner or Alcaraz. He has now played 19 matches against them (combined), and he trails the combined H2H record by 9-10. It’s been more than two years since he won a major title. Reason?

Well, it’s the same… Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner! How does he feel watching them rise, though? Well, replying to this question from Morgan, Djokovic portrayed his admiration for these two, saying, “So just maybe four or five matches in my life that I watched and I said, ‘Wow, this is, you know, an astronomical level of tennis is amazing.’” He further added, “I am aware that right now both are better than me. That is the reality. For much of my career, I have believed in things that were impossible to achieve, but I have always been very positive in achieving my goals.”

For a man who has conquered 24 Grand Slam titles and rewritten the sport’s record books, such words reveal more than humility; they show acceptance of the changing world order. Novak Djokovic admitted, “I have a lot of faith in the power of thoughts, but at the same time, I also believe in biology. I am 38 years old; wear and tear is real. And I have had a couple of reality checks this past year.” After losing the US Open SF to Alcaraz this year, Djokovic made a very interesting comment.

He said that best-of-five makes it very, very difficult for him to play against these, and particularly if it’s in the end stages of the Grand Slams. Djokovic believes he will have a better chance if he has to face Alcaraz-Sinner in the best-of-three format. But having said that, he also claimed that he is not yet ready to give up on Grand Slams.

However, this time in his interview with Morgan, Novak Djokovic had a bit of concern in his voice. He said, “Both have made me doubt whether I can win another Grand Slam, but when I step on the court, I don’t care who I’m facing, as long as I am better and I am going to win, and I will give everything to achieve it. I still have the mindset of a winner and I only hope to continue keeping my body fit…”

Alcaraz, with his boundless energy and all-court brilliance, and Sinner, with his surgical precision and icy composure, represent everything Djokovic once was—and perhaps still is, on his best days. But for the first time, the Serbian icon seems to acknowledge that the young guns may hold an edge that’s difficult to counter every time.

“It’s not easy for me to accept, being the dominant player for most of my career, 20 years, and now being dominated, particularly by [Carlos] Alcaraz and [Jannik] Sinner. I knew it was going to happen eventually, that guys would come and start to dominate, and someone would form a new rivalry,” said the 38-year-old. 

But still, there is that part in him that refrains from surrendering fully. While still active on the Tour, he doesn’t want to care too much about who is across the net and keeps believing that’s better and he surely deserves to win. Novak Djokovic doesn’t have the luxury of time by his side, but all he wants now is to do everything he can to win these battles. All he needs to do is keep himself fit and ready for these duels. 

And if there’s one thing Djokovic has proven over two decades, it’s that doubt has often been the fuel behind his greatest triumphs. What do Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have to say about the ‘Serbinator,’ though?

Jannik Sinner calls Novak Djokovic ‘a true role model’

Novak Djokovic has long been the mountain every young player dreams of climbing—and even today, when the winds of change blow strong in men’s tennis, that mountain still stands tall. While Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are widely seen as the future of the sport, both rising stars have often paused to acknowledge the man whose legacy continues to define their generation.

For Sinner and Alcaraz, Djokovic isn’t just a rival or a record-holder; he’s the living embodiment of what it means to excel, to evolve, and to endure. Despite having a 6-4 edge over the Serbian in the H2H record, Sinner once revealed the impact of Djokovic on his career. He trained with Riccardo Piatti and spent time in Monaco with Djokovic in his early days, and during that time, he claims that he got the chance to learn a lot from the Serb. 

In June this year, during an interview, Jannik Sinner hailed Novak Djokovic as a “true role model for all of us” and then went on to reveal, “I have learned many things from him. I feel like my game style, it's not the same because we are different but at times similar. So I have watched a lot with his videos… He's very important for me as a player and also as a person.”

Even after beating Djokovic in the SF of the 2025 Six Kings Slam, the Italian stated that Novak is a role model for the younger generation and what he has achieved so far in his career is truly incredible. “I see him as a real idol. To play against him is a huge honor and privilege,” said Sinner.

Unlike Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz trails Novak Djokovic by 4-5 in the H2H record, and these two have already been part of a few memorable battles. After winning the duel at this year’s US Open, Alcaraz shared a post on his social media saying, “Big respect for @djokernole! It was a privilege to share a court with you on another big stage! I could not be happier!”

Then, when he came to know that Djokovic had withdrawn from the 2025 ATP Finals, it seemed like a sigh of relief for the Spaniard. He said, “I'm not going to lie, I prefer Lorenzo over Novak in the group. It's always difficult to face Novak at the ATP Finals due to his experience and incredible indoor game. I lost to him in the semi-final two years ago. I played well, and he killed me.”

This tells us that despite age not being on his side, Novak Djokovic is still regarded as a big threat in the tennis world. Do you think he can clinch his 25th major title in 2026?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallySports. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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