Novak Djokovic pulls no punches as tennis star hits out at narrative following Wimbledon final defeat
Novak Djokovic has hit out at suggestions his time is up following Sunday's Wimbledon final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz
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Novak Djokovic has hit out at suggestions his time is up following Sunday's Wimbledon final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz.
The Serb crashed to defeat at Centre Court, with Alcaraz winning 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7-4) to secure a fourth Grand Slam title of his short career.
With Alcaraz winning the French Open before Wimbledon, the 21-year-old is the man to beat. He is the favourite for the US Open, which is set to take place later in the year.
Some feel Djokovic is now a faded force in the aftermath of his defeat. He is yet to win a Grand Slam in 2024 and, if he fails to triumph at Flushing Meadows, will endure his first year without a major since 2017.
Novak Djokovic has hit out at suggestions his time is up following Sunday's Wimbledon final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz
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But the Serb has now hit back at suggestions there is a 'generational change' going on.
He feels both Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner must maintain their fine form this year for the long term if they're to usurp him as the sport's biggest name.
"Carlos' results make it deserved to talk about a generational change on his part and Sinner is doing very well this year, but these results must be endorsed over time," he said.
“There are people who have not even been close to winning Grand Slam titles and make these assertions.
"In short, words are carried away by the wind.”
Djokovic has won 24 Grand Slam titles throughout his career.
Rafael Nadal is closest on 22, with Roger Federer third on the list with 20.
But Djokovic has struggled in this year's majors. He was dumped out of the Australian Open by Sinner in January, while he was also forced to withdraw from the French Open due to injury.
Djokovic was asked on Sunday if he'd played at Wimbledon for the last time.
However, the former world No 1 said he'd be back - and insists he's not mentally struggling as he looks to regain the form of old.
“As far as coming back here, I mean, I would love to,” he said. “I don't have anything else in my thoughts right now that this is my last Wimbledon.
"I really want to play at least whatever. I don't have any limitations in my mind. I still want to keep going and play as long as I feel like I can play on this high level.”
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Novak Djokovic believes talk of a 'generational change' is premature after his Wimbledon final win over Novak Djokovic
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Djokovic will be hoping to win Olympic gold this year.
That honour has eluded him throughout his career, despite all of his other remarkable achievements.
And Djokovic, when quizzed on his goals for the rest of 2024, added: “The Olympic Games and US Open are the two big goals for the rest of the year for me really.
“I’m hoping I can be at my best in those two tournaments, yeah. That’s all I can say right now.
Novak Djokovic was emphatically beaten by Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday's Wimbledon final
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“I mean, being able to reach the finals of Wimbledon, of course, it’s a great confidence boost.
"But I also feel like in a match-up today against [the] best player right now in the world for sure, I mean, other than Jannik [Sinner], and both of them are the best this year by far, I feel like I’m not at that level.”