Novak Djokovic: Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner “just too good” after US Open defeat

NEW YORK—Novak Djokovic came into post-match press not long after a third consecutive straight-sets defeat at a Grand Slam tournament, .

Still in search of a record-breaking 25th major trophy, the 38-year-old is feeling increasingly pessimistic about his chances to beat either of Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner—who handed Djokovic back-to-back losses at Roland Garros at Wimbledon—in the best-of-five Grand Slam format.

Q. Novak, what you've done at the majors this year would be the envy of probably every player on the tour except two. What are your thoughts about what you've accomplished and whether that would be enough for you in the future?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think you're right. You know, I lost three out of four slams in semis against these guys, so they're just too good, you know, playing on a really high level.

Unfortunately, I ran out of gas after the second set. I think I had enough energy to battle him and to keep up with his rhythm for two sets. After that I was gassed out, and he kept going.

That's kind of what I felt this year also with Jannik. Yeah, best-of-five makes it very, very difficult for me to play them. Particularly if it's like the end stages of the Grand Slam. Yeah.

Q. And the future, whether that can be enough for you in the future, this level at the majors?

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I mean, I'm happy with my level of tennis, but you know, it's just the physicality of it, you know. As I said after the quarterfinals, the press conference when I spoke to you guys, I said, you know, I'm going to do my very best to get my body in shape to sustain that level and that rhythm for as many hours as it's needed, but, you know, it wasn't enough. That's something I, unfortunately at this point in time in my career, can't control.

I can do only as much as I can do. Yeah, it will be very difficult for me in the future to overcome the hurdle of Sinner, Alcaraz, in the best-of-five on the Grand Slams. I think I have a better chance best-of-three, but best-of-five, it's tough.

I'm not giving up on Grand Slams in that regard, having said that. I'm going to continue fighting and trying to get to the finals and fight for another trophy at least. But, you know, it's going to be a very difficult task.

I do fancy my chances a bit more in best-of-three, I guess, one-week tournaments or the Masters tournaments where you have almost two weeks with quite a few days between matches. So, you know, that could serve me better in the matchups against them. Novak Djokovic on playing Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner

Before the tournament began, Djokovic outlined what amounted to a “Grand Slams or bust” schedule, eschewing nearly all of the best-of-three set Masters 1000 tournaments in favor of being at a physical peak for the grind of major fortnights.

The gamble largely paid off: Djokovic reached four Grand Slam semifinals and scored impressive wins along the way, defeating Alcaraz at the Australian Open, Alexander Zverev in Paris and No. 4 seed Taylor Fritz in New York. But Alcaraz and Sinner have now won the last seven Grand Slam tournaments dating back to the 2024 Australian Open.

This most recent loss to Alcaraz appears to have caused a radical shift for Djokovic, who still enjoys competing but feels his chances are greater against the field in a less physical format.

“I still want to play Grand Slams, Grand Slam season, full Grand Slam season next year,” said Djokovic, who was reluctant to commit to a full fall schedule beyond an ATP 250 appearance in Athens, Greece.

“But, yeah, I do fancy my chances a bit more in best-of-three, I guess, one-week tournaments or the Masters tournaments, where you have almost two weeks with quite a few days between matches. So, you know, that could serve me better in the matchups against them.”

Djokovic has won three of four best-of-three set matches against Alcaraz—including the gold medal match of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics—but trails Sinner 2-3 in the shorter format. “Sincaraz” will be likely remain a considerable challenge for Djokovic, regardless of scoring system, this year and beyond.

“It's expected that the young guys are improving,” said Djokovic. “These two players are the best in the world right now. You know, if you're not improving, then something is not right, so you have to adapt to that and make changes.

“But they seem to have very good team, very good strategy of training and approach to the tennis world. The results are a testament to that. So, there is no doubt that they are better and better each year, and that's also expected, to be honest. It's nothing unusual.”

Despite the limited scheduling, Djokovic is ranked third in the PIF ATP Race to Turin, where the Top 8 players will compete in best-of-three at the ATP Finals. A seven-time champion there, the Finals could be where Djokovic tests his hypothesis before the year is out.