Novak Djokovic, the world number one in tennis, is showing no signs of slowing down at the age of 36, having already won three out of the four Grand Slam titles in 2023. However, Djokovic believes that the future of tennis is in good hands, with young sensation Carlos Alcaraz leading the way.
Djokovic’s bid to achieve a calendar-year Grand Slam was thwarted at Wimbledon, where he was defeated in five sets by the 20-year-old Alcaraz. Many hailed this victory as a symbol of the changing of the guard in men’s tennis. Despite the setback, Djokovic rebounded by defeating Alcaraz in a thrilling final at Cincinnati before securing his record-equalling 24th major title at the U.S. Open earlier in the year.
Speaking about Alcaraz and the future of tennis, Djokovic stated, “I think tennis, definitely the future is looking good with Carlos leading that field. We’ve had some thrilling encounters… This year with the final at Wimbledon and also Roland Garros and Cincinnati – that was one of the best three-set matches I’ve ever played.”
Djokovic also acknowledged the importance of rivalries in tennis, mentioning his past rivalries with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray, all of which have contributed to the sport’s excitement and appeal.
Djokovic and Alcaraz have faced each other four times on the tour, with two wins each. Djokovic expressed his hope that they would continue to have competitive matches, but he acknowledged the uncertainty of the future. “Hopefully, I’ll play him as many times as I played the other guys, and that will mean I’ll be playing for years to come. But I doubt that, let’s see how it goes,” Djokovic added.
Despite his age, Djokovic remains determined to perform at his best in Grand Slam tournaments, which hold special significance for him at this stage of his career.
