‘Got a slap from reality’: Novak Djokovic opens up about facing Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in last few years

Novak Djokovic’s last slam win was the 2023 US Open, following which the quest for his record-breaking 25th slam has been halted by Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz equally dividing the slams between them.

Jannik Sinner, right, and Novak Djokovic greet each other after their semifinal match of the French Tennis Open at the Roland-Garros stadium in Paris on June 6, 2025. (AP Photo)

24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has admitted that he got a “slap from reality in the last couple of years” after consistently losing to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at Grand Slams in the last two years. The duo has split the last eight slams between them, thereby marking the start of a new rivalry following the retirements of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic’s last slam win was the 2023 US Open, following which the quest for his record-breaking 25th slam has been halted by Sinner and Alcaraz equally dividing the slams between them.

“I believe that to some extent I am the superman who can never injure myself, that can never be weak. But I got a slap from reality in the last couple of years. I’m just getting to know this new chapter,” Djokovic told Piers Morgan in an interview.

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The Serbian has lost his last five meetings to Sinner, including at three Grand Slams, with his last win over the Italian coming in the 2023 ATP Finals. He has a slightly better record against Alcaraz, against whom he leads the head-to-head 5-4, and beat him at the 2025 Australian Open quarter-final before losing in the 2025 US Open semi-final.

The 2024 Paris Olympics gold medalist admitted both Sinner and Alcaraz were at a different level as compared to him. However, he did say that when he walked out to the court, he didn’t think about his opponent and only looked to put his best foot forward.

“I’m aware that [comparing] my best level now and their best level now, they’re better. That’s the reality. I have always believed in things that are almost impossible to achieve. I do have doubts that I can win Slams against these two guys. But when I enter the court, I don’t care who’s across the net. I always believe I’m better and I deserve to win,” he said.