TOI in New York:Novak Djokovic‘s run in the majors this season sparks a clear trend. He retired in the Australian Open semifinals and looked physically compromised at both the French Open and Wimbledon against Jannik Sinner. And when the 38-year-old faced off against Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open, the signs were clear. Two sets in, the 24-time major winner was running on empty. “I lost three out of four Slams in the semis against these guys. They’re just too good, playing at a really high level,” the Serb said following the 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-2 loss. This is only the third year since Djokovic made his first Grand Slam final in 2007 that he has gone through a season without reaching a major final. The last time this happened was in 2017 and before that in 2009. “I had enough energy to keep up with his rhythm for two sets. After that, I was gassed out. He kept going. That’s kind of what I felt this year with Jannik also,” Djokovic said. “In best-of-five, it is very, very difficult for me to play them, particularly if it’s in the later stages of a Grand Slam.”
Once the master of the five-set drill, Djokovic, who enjoys a 40–11 career win-loss record in five-set matches, is now fighting against a duo who are 14 and 16 years younger than him. “It will be very difficult for me to overcome the hurdle of Sinner and Alcaraz in best-of-five matches at Grand Slams,” said Djokovic, who played his 53rd major semifinal on Friday. “I think I have a better chance in best-of-three. I’m not giving up on Grand Slams. I’m going to continue fighting and trying to get to the final and fight for another trophy at least.”
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The Serb, who was kitted out in shades of contrasting blues, reminiscent of the day and night skies of New York, received medical treatment for his neck during the match. “It is 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 Sinner and Alcaraz. “They are just better at the moment. You just have to hand it to them and say, well done.” The niggles Djokovic picks up in his run to the semifinals accumulate and drag him down in the big matches. “Pretty much every match there’s something happening that you have to address. I don’t have any injuries that prevented me from playing today,” he said of the US Open semifinals. “The level of fitness wasn’t enough for Carlos. It’s frustrating on the court when you are not able to keep up with that level physically, but at the same time, it is what time and age does to you.” Djokovic, who is chasing a historic 25th major, a figure no man or woman has reached, had suggested earlier in the year that he would continue on the Tour for at least another year. “I still want to play the full Grand Slam season next year,” he reiterated. “I do fancy my chances a bit more in best-of-three, one-week tournaments or the Masters tournaments, where you have almost two weeks with quite a few days between matches. That could serve me better in the matchups against them.”
