Novak Djokovic stays decided to compete with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner at Majors in 2026. The legend spoke concerning the world's main gamers forward of his first match on the Shanghai Masters.
The 38-year-old stopped the clock on probably the most notable scene in 2025, reaching all 4 Main semi-finals as solely the second participant alongside Jannik. Thus, the Belgrade native maintained his trademark consistency on the sport's greatest levels.
Nonetheless, Novak retains issues actual! The legend admitted that the bodily calls for of the best-of-five format make the problem harder than ever in opposition to two dominant children.
Novak's first follow in Shanghai↓ #Djokovic pic.twitter.com/yCKnUdvZWF
— 💊💊😘🐏 (@NovakAnalysis) September 30, 2025
Djokovic is absolutely conscious that dealing with a lot youthful and more energizing rivals like Carlos and Jannik requires being in peak situation – one thing more and more tough to maintain seven months earlier than turning 39.
With that in thoughts, Novak sees Masters 1000 occasions as the most effective alternative to maintain lifting notable trophies. The Serb missed a chance to realize that earlier this 12 months, falling to Jakub Mensik in two tie breaks in Miami.
The shorter and fewer demanding best-of-three format permits him to handle his physique extra effectively whereas nonetheless competing on the highest degree in opposition to the world's elite.
Regardless of acknowledging the pure challenges of age, Djokovic's motivation and self-discipline stay intact lengthy after reaching every part our sport has to supply. His presence on the ATP Tour continues to encourage.
Carlos Alcaraz & Novak Djokovic, US Open 2025© Fb – Roland Garros
Whereas he adjusts his ambitions, the 24-time Main winner stays motivated to remain related among the many world's finest gamers. At 38, Novak is the third-oldest top-5 participant in ATP rating historical past.
The Shanghai Masters presents one other alternative for Djokovic to check himself in opposition to the technology he as soon as impressed, with the potential semi-final conflict in opposition to the defending champion, Jannik Sinner.
The Serb and the Italian battled within the title conflict a 12 months in the past, with the 23-year-old scoring a 7-6, 6-3 victory. The Belgrade native kicks off his marketing campaign in opposition to Marin Cilic.
"I'm nonetheless working at 100% as a result of I need to compete with Carlos and Jannik at Majors. If you’re not utterly bodily able to face them, your whole recreation is affected.
I do know it's getting harder to beat them within the best-of-five encounters as a result of I don’t enter our duels as contemporary as earlier than. It's a actuality I’ve to simply accept. My greatest probabilities to win a notable title are at a Masters 100 occasions," Novak Djokovic stated.
