The intergenerational rivalry of Novak Djokovic with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner has been one of the most popular talk points on the Tour for the past three years.
The Spaniard and Italian have split the last eight Majors since the triumph of Djokovic in the US Open in 2023, but the Serbian had his part of the success, in which Alcaraz was defeated in the Olympic Games of Gold Medal and Sinner in the title decision -maker in the 2023 Nitto final.
This season, however, the 38-year-old has difficulty finding a way along the world No. 1 and no. 2, who lost to the sinner in the semi-final in Roland Garros and Wimbledon and to Alcaraz in the last four at the US Open. Prior to the Rolex Shanghai Masters, where Djokovic will first fight since he fell to Alcaraz in New York, the former world no. 1 thought about the state of his rivalry with both.
“I still work my hardest that I can do in the circumstances to challenge the boys or to mainly challenge myself and really see how I can do at all the tournaments I participate in,” said Djokovic on Thursday during his press conference for tournament in Shanghai. “Of course, the best-of-three, duration of the tournament, ideally seven days, that is where I feel that I have a better chance to win a trophy or make an important result.
“Apart from those matches that I lost to these best two players in the world, I think I have played tennis really well in Grand Slams and reached semi -finals in each of them. So it goes without saying the level and consistency and so I am satisfied with that. But there is a part of me that is always a winner, you know best.
Djokovic opens against Marin Cilic in Shanghai and is sown to meet the number 2 player in the PIF ATP ranking list in the semi-final. Sinner leads Djokovic 6-4 in the Lexus ATP Head2head series of the couple and has won their last five meetings, dating from Turin in 2023. However, Djokovic is not too discouraged despite his recent record.
“It is not ideal if you play big matches and you lose the best players in the world at the moment. But that does not discourage me to continue,” said Djokovic. “I don’t play tennis only because of making results and winning trophies, there are several other reasons why I go on.”
One of those reasons why the Titlist continues to compete at tour level is the chance to play for his son Stefan, daughter Tara and wife Jelena. Stefan and Tara are regularly seen to look at their father at the court, with Tara’s party dance with Djokovic A Nice highlight of this year’s Wimbledon.
“My son, he plays more tennis and so he follows what’s going on. He really got on to travel to China with me. He wants to travel with me everywhere, but he has to do school, and it’s not that simple,” said Djokovic. “But he is really in love with tennis and the sport.
“My children and my wife are my biggest supporters and when they are in the stadium, you have seen them how they support, how passionate they give and play with me and play with me. So of course, I see them in the stands, it is still inspiring. I like to have them.”
Djokovic will not be accompanied by his family in Shanghai, where he is a record four -time titlist. The Serbian made his debut during the event in 2009 when the tournament was founded and enjoys his travels to China.
“I think it is a very important tournament for the promotion of our sport worldwide, but especially in Asia, in China and Asia and this part of the world that may not necessarily follow certain tournaments that are played on some other continents,” said Djokovic, which has a 39-6 tournament record according to the Infosys ATP ininstruction.
“It is important that there are major tournaments such as these promoting tennis and attracting more attention to the sport for young people in China. China is the largest country in the world in terms of population, with India. Chinese people love racquet sports, we know that. So there is a long history and tradition and culture of tennis and pingpong and the other racquet sports.”
Djokovic is 31-10 on the year and won his 100th title at Tour level in Geneva. The 38-year-old is fourth in the PIF ATP Live Race to Turin and in a good position to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals, which is held from November 9-16.
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