Novak Djokovic has expressed his belief that many people are “not satisfied” that he is still one of the top players in the sport as he declared “they are looking for a new leader.”
The tennis great proclaimed that Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner deserve to be involved in the discussion about a potential changing of the guard, but asserted other players do not.
Djokovic reached a 10th Wimbledon final at the 2024 edition of the grass-court Grand Slam last week, but he was denied a record-equalling eighth title by Alcaraz.
The Serbian fell to a convincing straight-set defeat to Alcaraz — his second consecutive loss to the 21-year-old Spaniard in a Wimbledon championship match after the pair’s epic 2023 final.
Some commentators and fans have argued the 2024 final represents a passing of the torch moment in men’s tennis, with Alcaraz backed to take over from Djokovic and become the next dominant force.
Alcaraz, the current world No 3, has won four Grand Slam titles and claimed the last two held, having also triumphed at the French Open. Sinner is the world No 1 and won his maiden Major at the Australian Open in January.
Djokovic, 37, won his most recent Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open as he secured a record-extending 24th Major crown.
In an interview with Serbian journalists, Djokovic was asked for his thoughts on the discussion about the “change of generations” after his defeat to Alcaraz.
It is logical and normal to talk about it, people are always looking for something new (translated from Serbian),” he said.
“Many are not even satisfied that I am there (at the top), probably, so they are looking for a new leader, but it is an integral part of my career and the ecosystem in which I work, function, and live.
“Everyone has the right to express their opinion. The bigger the stage, the further it will be heard.
“If we talk about the results of Alcaraz, he deserves to be part of the discussion about the change of generations because he deserves it – four Slams, he was No 1.
“Sinner also, especially this year, but not so much others – the results need to be proven. And the people who were not even close to the titles and the Centre Court, and they are talking about something, that… Gone with the wind.”
The world No 2 also shut down suggestions his “flat” demeanour during the Wimbledon final was a factor in the match’s outcome.
“That’s what people often say when I lose, that I’m flat and the like,” Djokovic said.
“That cannot be the reason for the defeat. There are moments and matches when you need to throw something out, and there are also those when you are looking for an optimal balance, to keep calm, to conserve energy and to use it constructively.
“We can guess what would have happened if I had started screaming at people at the beginning of the second set and fighting. I doubt that would help me. Kudos to Alcaraz, in sporting terms – he broke me, let’s move on.”
