Novak Djokovic is able to problem Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz on the Grand Slam stage when he returns to motion on the Australian Open after an underwhelming marketing campaign this yr, the 24-times champion mentioned.
After profitable three of the 4 Grand Slams in 2023, the 37-year-old has endured a dry spell in 2024, failing to win any majors for the primary time since his injury-plagued 2017 marketing campaign.
World No. 1 Sinner dethroned Djokovic at Melbourne Park en path to his maiden Grand Slam win and the 23-year-old Italian additionally beat the Serb within the Shanghai Masters remaining in October.
Reigning U.S. Open champion Sinner added the ATP Finals title to his tally, whereas Djokovic pulled out from the season-ending occasion with damage.
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Djokovic withdrew from the French Open quarterfinals because of a knee damage, whereas 14-times champion Rafael Nadal misplaced to Alexander Zverev within the first spherical, permitting Alcaraz to dominate Roland Garros.
The 21-year-old Spaniard Alcaraz additionally retained his Wimbledon title. Nonetheless, Djokovic clinched his maiden Olympic gold in Paris, defeating Alcaraz three weeks after their Wimbledon remaining — proving his resilience.
“I really feel I can nonetheless play on the highest degree. Sinner and Alcaraz have established themselves as the 2 greatest gamers on the earth, to not neglect (Alexander) Zverev,” Djokovic mentioned in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport on Saturday.
“All of them would be the most important candidates to win the Slams and different titles. Nonetheless, bodily and mentally I’m able to play my tennis once more and I’ve the sensation that I can problem these guys, my expertise can turn out to be useful.”
Djokovic, who slipped to seventh within the ATP rankings, mentioned 2024 was maybe his least worthwhile season within the final 10 years.
“So subsequent yr I’ll play extra tournaments and the Grand Slams can be my precedence. I’ll give my greatest to win, after all if my physique permits me to,” he mentioned.
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Requested what recommendation he would give Sinner, Djokovic mentioned: “It appears to me that he’s doing effectively even with out my recommendation. However profitable your first two Slams and turning into No. 1 is one factor, staying at that degree for years is one other.”
Following the retirements of Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal, Djokovic stays the final man from his technology nonetheless pushing for the crown.
Former Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion Murray has joined Djokovic’s teaching group because the latter bids to win a record-extending eleventh Australian Open when the season’s first main begins on January 12.