For all the post-match talk of Novak Djokovic’s waning physicality, and the seemingly growing distance between himself and the sport’s leading stars, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the main takeaway from the Serb’s analysis of it all is that he is not yet going anywhere.
Despite a common thread running throughout Djokovic’s Grand Slam season – namely, an inability to last seven five-set matches when at least one of those will likely be against Sinner or Alcaraz – there are contrasting ways to look at the 24-time Grand Slam champion’s recent major results.
Firstly, Djokovic is easily the third-best men’s player on the planet. Reaching all four Grand Slam semi-finals is a feat many other quality players could only dream of. If he keeps putting himself in the latter stages of majors, history shows that there will likely be an opening in the Sinner-Alcaraz duopoly at some point.
Secondly, look at the calibre of player the Serb has beaten in the last eight this season. He was too strong for both Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz in the French and US Opens respectively. Indeed, while carrying a leg injury, Djokovic took down Alcaraz in the quarter-finals in Melbourne.
Add to this a 100th ATP title in Geneva, and an impressive run to the final in Miami, and Djokovic’s season is given a different complexion.
In short, his level is there. As is his willingness to compete. Physically, he again admitted after his US Open semi-final loss to Alcaraz that the five-set format takes a huge amount out of him.
“I can do only as much as I can do,” Djokovic said in his post-match press conference.
“It will be very difficult for me in the future to overcome the hurdle of Sinner and Alcaraz in best-of-fives at Grand Slams.
“I think I have a better chance in best-of-three, but best-of-five, it’s tough… I ran out of gas. The level of fitness wasn’t enough for Carlos.”
Yet, tellingly, Djokovic stopped short of throwing any doubt over whether his Grand Slam career was over.
In fact, the former world No 1 effectively committed to playing all four majors again next year.
“I still want to play Grand Slams and a full Grand Slam season next year,” he said.
What a champion’s mentality Even at 38, Djokovic is still making Grand Slam semi-finals and taking down top players. Yes, Sinner and Alcaraz are pushing the game forward, but the fact that Novak is still in the mix shows his greatness. If he keeps putting himself in these positions, 25 is still very possible. Legends don’t fade quietly.