US Open 2025: Djokovic Admits Breaking Alcaraz-Sinner Duopoly Will Be “Very Difficult”
SME News UK. Novak Djokovic insists he is “not giving up” on adding to his Grand Slam tally despite acknowledging the formidable challenge posed by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who have established themselves as the dominant forces in men’s tennis.The 38-year-old Serb fell in straight sets to Alcaraz, 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-2, in Friday night’s US Open semi-final, ending his hopes of reaching a Grand Slam final in 2025. For the first time since 2017, Djokovic has not contested a single major final in a calendar year.Despite the setback, the 24-time Grand Slam champion remains defiant in his pursuit of a record-breaking 25th major title, even as he approaches his 39th birthday next May.”Not Giving Up on Grand Slams””I’m happy with my level of tennis, but it’s just the physicality of it,” Djokovic said after the defeat.”As I said after the quarter-finals, 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 it wasn’t enough. That’s something I, unfortunately at this point in my career, can’t control – I can do only as much as I can do.”Djokovic, who reached all four semi-finals this season, admitted that beating Alcaraz and Sinner over best-of-five sets has become his greatest hurdle.”It will be very difficult for me in the future to overcome the hurdle of Sinner and Alcaraz in the best-of-five on the Grand Slams,” he added. “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. I’m going to continue fighting and trying to get to the finals and fight for another trophy at least.”The Alcaraz-Sinner EraSince Djokovic’s last major triumph at the US Open in 2023, the landscape has shifted dramatically. Sinner and Alcaraz have now reached the final in the last three consecutive majors and will contest their eighth straight Slam between them, underlining their grip on the sport.Djokovic is no stranger to dominance, having formed a legendary trio with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, who have both since retired. Now, the Serb stands alone from that golden generation, tasked with holding off tennis’s new order.While 2025 marks only the second time since 2010 that Djokovic has not appeared in a Grand Slam final, his consistency remains remarkable. Reaching all four semi-finals at 38 underscores his enduring quality, even as his body demands more to keep pace with the sport’s physical demands.For now, Djokovic remains determined to stay in the fight. Whether he can break the Alcaraz-Sinner stranglehold on tennis’s biggest prizes will define the twilight of his illustrious career.
