Djokovic on Alcaraz & Sinner: 'They're just too good'

Serbian reflects on his semi-final run at the US Open

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Novak Djokovic congratulates Carlos Alcaraz following their US Open semi-final on Friday afternoon in New York. By ATP Staff

Novak Djokovic provided an honest assessment following his straight-sets loss in the US Open semi-finals Friday to Carlos Alcaraz. At the moment, Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, the No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings, are simply a step above the Serbian.

“I lost three out of four Slams in semis against these guys, so they're just too good, playing on a really high level,” Djokovic said. “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 the end stages of the Grand Slam.”

Djokovic made the semi-finals at all four majors this season, with Sinner the only other man to accomplish the feat in 2025. But at the Australian Open against Alexander Zverev, the 24-time Slam champion retired one set into their clash. He then lost to Sinner at Roland Garros and Wimbledon before falling short to Alcaraz.

According to the 38-year-old, who received several mid-match visits from ATP physio Clay Sniteman throughout the fortnight, it is difficult at this point of his career to recover as well as he previously has at the majors.

“I’m happy with my level of tennis, but it's just the physicality of it. As I said after the quarter-finals, the press conference when I spoke to you guys, I said 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,” said Djokovic, who is 5-4 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Alcaraz. “But it wasn't enough. That's something I, unfortunately at this point in time in my career, can't control.”

The 100-time tour-level titlist said it is frustrating when he is unable to maintain his level physically. But he was also realistic in explaining that at his age, it is expected.

“It comes with time and with age,” Djokovic said. “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.”

Djokovic last claimed major glory at the 2023 US Open. The record-holder for most weeks at World No. 1 (428 weeks) has proven capable of competing with the very best, ousting Alcaraz in Melbourne this year. But he admitted that it is a tough task.

“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,” Djokovic said. “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 it's going to be a very difficult task.”

Now 31-10 this season according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, Djokovic was disappointed to not continue his title pursuit in New York. But he has the utmost respect for his Tour-leading opponents.

“It's never fun losing a tennis match, but at the same time, if I'm to lose to someone, I would lose to these two guys,” Djokovic said of Alcaraz and Sinner. “I know that they are just better at the moment. You just have to hand it to them and say, ‘Well done’.”

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