Djokovic, on Alcaraz and Sinner: "They have made me doubt that I can win another Grand Slam"

Andrés Tomás Rico | 11 Nov 2025 | 22.20

Djokovic, on Alcaraz and Sinner: "They have made me doubt that I can win another Grand Slam." Photo: Gettyimages

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When Novak Djokovic speaks, everyone has to listen to him. The 24-time Grand Slam champion is known for conducting deep interviews with insightful reflections, stemming from his maturity and the experiences he has had, both on and off the tennis courts.

The Serbian closed out 2025 with his 101st title at the ATP in Athens, once again showcasing his competitive hunger and passion for tennis. This was further confirmed in an interview with Piers Morgan, who apologized for his controversial words following Djokovic's deportation from Australia in 2022. Following that moment, Djokovic opened up and was very candid about his current situation, his distance from Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, as well as sharing his opinion on the eternal debate of whether he is the greatest tennis player in history, among many other topics that the Belgrade native touched upon in an essential interview for all tennis lovers.

Does not commit on whether he is the greatest tennis player in history

"I've been asked this a lot over the past few years. Obviously, there are many statistics, and people compare them with those of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. But I'll say what I always say, I won't give my opinion on this matter because I'm not in a position to do so, and I think it would be very disrespectful to players who have played against me, like Nadal or Federer. In addition, I don't feel comfortable talking about it. I consider myself a great tennis scholar and I have great respect for all previous eras of tennis."

"It is very difficult to compare eras because our sport has undergone many changes in the last fifty years in terms of technology, equipment, balls, surfaces. Everything has been professionalized, although it doesn't mean it wasn't before."

At a moment of "transition" in the last chapter of his tennis life

"I am transitioning in my life because I am entering the last chapter of my tennis life, regardless of how long it lasts. I have to seek tranquility to maintain my hunger and competitiveness on the court, but at the same time, I have to deal with certain realities that are not easy for me to accept. Because I have been the dominant player for most of my career and now I am being dominated by Alcaraz and Sinner."

Novak Djokovic confesses his doubts about winning another Grand Slam due to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner

"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. 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."

"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."

Accepts the ‘overtaking’ by Alcaraz and Sinner

"I knew this would happen sooner or later in my career, it is a natural and evolutionary progression. The emergence of Alcaraz and Sinner is incredible for our sport; they have played one of the most epic matches in the history of sports in the Roland Garros final."

Hooked watching the Roland Garros final

"That day, I got hooked on TV, although when I lose in a tournament I like to disconnect from tennis. But my wife and son are tennis enthusiasts and wanted to watch it. I suggested going for a walk and eating out. But they insisted, and I said, ‘Okay, we watch a set, and then we leave.’ I thought the match would last about two and a half hours or so, and when we returned home, they were still playing, and we ended up watching the last two hours of the match."

About the false stereotype of elite athletes

"It is important to understand that what you are experiencing is a real experience, and the pressure we athletes face is real. The fact that you cannot overcome certain goals or challenges because the pressure gets to you does not make you weak, but it makes you human. Michael Jordan said that people remembered more the shots he made, and no one ever talked about the ones he missed. Many people have the fantasy that the greatest athletes in history are demigods who can do everything, and that is not the case. I have failed many times in my career; I have a 50% success rate in Grand Slam finals, and you need to go through that moment."

The danger of always winning

"Between 2015 and 2016, I played 19 or 20 consecutive finals, I dominated on all surfaces and felt unbeatable, but mentally, that situation is also very dangerous because your ego grows, and then life's nature hits you harder than ever. That's what happened to me with my elbow injury."

Would support his son if he wanted to become a professional tennis player

"My son is 11 years old and is clear that he wants to play tennis, and that excites and scares me at the same time. Besides, he has talent, but I don't want to be his coach, I want to be his father. I am gradually trying to introduce him to the world of tennis and sports; right now, I can't explain everything to him; I am selecting different things. If he decides he wants to be a professional tennis player, I will support him 100% at every step."

About how he wants people to remember him

"I would like people to remember me, obviously for my achievements and results because I am very proud of that. But I would like people to remember me as the man who touched people's hearts; I would like to put that on my tombstone," confesses Novak Djokovic, who has once again given a lesson on how to face life and how to continue loving tennis.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Djokovic, sobre Alcaraz y Sinner: "Han hecho que tenga dudas de que pueda ganar otro Grand Slam"