Djokovic will not give up but concedes best-of-five gap to Alcaraz, Sinner: “Best of five, it’s tough”
Novak Djokovic admitted that competing against the younger generation in best-of-five-set Grand Slam matches can be seen as an insurmountable physical challenge
Novak Djokovic, US Open 2025 | © PsNewz
Time has passed since Novak Djokovic famously declared that “36 is the new 26,” the year he last won Roland-Garros. For a player who has built a career on overcoming physical and mental barriers, his post-match press conference on Friday night in New York marked a stark admission of a new, and perhaps final, challenge.
After falling to Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 7-6, 6-2 in the US Open semifinals, the 38-year-old Serbian acknowledged that the relentless pace of players like Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner is beginning to take its toll over the demanding Grand Slam format – something he had already hinted at during Wimbledon earlier this year.
“I lost three out of four slams in semis against these guys,” Djokovic said, “They’re just too good. Playing on a really high level.”
The US Open defeat to the 22-year-old Alcaraz was the third time in 2025 that Djokovic has fallen at the semifinal stage of a major to one of the sport’s new leaders. He had also lost to world No. 1 Sinner in straight sets at both Roland-Garros and Wimbledon.
I ran out of gas after the second set
“Unfortunately, I ran out of gas after the second set,” Djokovic explained. “I think I had enough energy to battle him and to keep up with his rhythm for two sets. After that, I was just gassed out, and he kept going.”
Djokovic, who has won 24 Grand Slam singles titles between 2008 and 2023, highlighted the unique demands of the best-of-five format as the primary hurdle. “The physicality of it… that’s something I, unfortunately at this point in time in my career, can’t control,” he said. “It will be very difficult for me in the future to overcome the hurdle of Sinner and Alcaraz in best-of-five at the Grand Slams. I think I have a better chance in best-of-three, but best-of-five, it’s tough.”
Djokovic : “Not giving up on Grand Slams”
Despite the candid assessment of his physical limitations, Djokovic was not ready to wave a white flag on his career. “I’m not giving up on Grand Slams in that regard,” he affirmed. “I’m going to continue fighting and trying to get to the finals and fight for another trophy. But it’s going to be a very, very difficult task.”
The Serbian star, who was also treated for a shoulder injury in the third set, reflected on the cumulative effect of a grueling tournament. “It’s mostly accumulative,” he said of his fatigue. “Pretty much every match there’s something happening that you have to deal with, but I think overall, I just ran out of gas. The level of fitness wasn’t enough for Carlos.”
While the outcome was frustrating, Djokovic noted the support he received from the Arthur-Ashe crowd and his love for the game. “It’s frustrating on the court when you’re not able to keep up with that level physically, but at the same time, it’s something also expected. It comes with time and with age. I still enjoy the thrill of competition. I just thoroughly enjoyed myself.”
