Novak Djokovic reached the semi-finals of all four Grand Slams but that has left more questions than answers in regards to his long-term future in the sport.
It was a fourth Grand Slam semi-final exit for Djokovic as he lost in straight sets to Carlos Alcaraz in New York.
Despite getting the break at the start of the second set, the 24-time Grand Slam champion fell short of a record-shattering 25th Grand Slam title as he ran out of gas in the third set.
Normally four Grand Slam semi-finals in one year would be a success for any player on the tour but not for Novak Djokovic’s high standards.
Reflected on the season Djokovic admitted Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are ‘too good for him’ at Grand Slam level, “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,” Djokovic reflected in his press conference on Friday night.
“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.”
What we do know is Djokovic is comfortably the third best player in the world when it comes to the Grand Slams and challenging the world’s top two.
However, that is alarming in itself for the rest of the tour and alarming for Djokovic that he is nowhere near winning a Grand Slam if he has to meet Alcaraz or Sinner in the latter stages.
When elaborating on whether he can challenge Alcaraz or Sinner, the Serb admitted it will be a difficult task, “I mean, I’m happy with my level of tennis, but you know, it’s just the physicality of it, you know,” Djokovic revealed.
“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.”
After his defeat to Sinner at Wimbledon, Djokovic was very philosophical about his long-term future in the sport.
However, in New York Djokovic was more clear about the long-term future but less clear about what Australia holds for him, “I mean, it’s quite simple for me,” Djokovic claimed.
“Of course, it’s frustrating on the court when you are not able to keep up with that level physically, but at the same time, it’s something also expected, I guess. You know, it comes with time and with age. Yeah, I still enjoy the thrill of competition. Today I received amazing support again on the court from the crowd. Very thankful for that. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
“Yeah, that’s one of the biggest reasons why I keep on going. The love that I’ve been getting around the world has been amazing the last couple of years. That’s far. Australia is far. At least at this stage of my career, I mean, I’m not thinking that far, to be honest. I don’t know. I’m planning to play Athens tournament, that’s for sure, but other than that, it’s really still a question mark where I’m going to go and what I’m going to do.”
Whatever happens Djokovic is the greatest tennis player of all time the only thing that is uncertain is how long will tennis feel his presence for?
