Novak Djokovic has suffered defeats to the world number one and two at Grand Slams this year.
The Serb’s previous three ATP Tour defeats have come at the hands of Jannik Sinner (French Open SF, Wimbledon SF) and Carlos Alcaraz (US Open SF).
Struggling against the youngsters in the Grand Slam best-of-five sets format, Djokovic suggested he would have a better chance in the shorter format during a press conference after the US Open.
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Making a surprising move, Djokovic has chosen to compete at the Shanghai Masters this week, a best-of-three sets tournament.
Speaking ahead of the event, the 38-year-old has suggested whether he still believes he has a better chance of beating Alcaraz and Sinner in the best-of-three format.
Novak Djokovic says he has a ‘better chance’ of beating Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in best-of-three
During his pre-tournament press conference, Djokovic was asked whether he likes his chances against the Spaniard and Italian in best-of-three sets matches.
“I mean, the physicality is logically the biggest factor in best-of-three, rather than best-of-five. But it’s all connected, obviously, with the mental part and the game-wise. If you’re physically not at your hundred percent against these guys, you know, you feel like you’re half a step slower, and that affects the whole game,” he said.
“It affects the whole play, the rallies, and different aspects of the encounter.
“Yeah, that’s what I said after the US Open, because I really felt that playing best-of-five against these guys at the latter stages of the tournament makes it really challenging for me. I feel like I don’t come in as fresh as they do in the semis.
“That’s okay. I mean, that’s just a biological fact that eventually I have to accept.”
Djokovic insisted he’s working as hard as possible to maintain competitiveness in his rivalries with Alcaraz and Sinner, aged 38.
“I’m still working my hardest that I possibly can in the circumstances to challenge the guys or to challenge myself primarily, and really see how I can do on all the tournaments that I take part in,” he said.
“The Masters events are played over almost two weeks. That’s where I feel I have a better chance, you know, to win a trophy or to make a significant result.”
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Djokovic then offered up an honest assessment of his 2025 Grand Slam season, where he lost in four semifinals.
- 2025 Australian Open SF [LOSS] vs Alexander Zverev – 6-7 (RET)
- 2025 French Open SF [LOSS] vs Jannik Sinner – 4-6, 5-7, 6-7
- 2025 Wimbledon SF [LOSS] vs Jannik Sinner – 3-6, 3-6, 4-6
- 2025 US Open SF [LOSS] vs Carlos Alcaraz – 4-6, 6-7, 2-6
“Other than those matches that I lost to these two best players in the world, I think I played really good tennis in Grand Slams, and reached semifinals in each one of them,” he said.
“So it speaks about the level and the consistency, and so I’m pleased with that, of course.”
He did, however, admit that it has been hard to adjust to the new pecking order in men’s tennis.
“At the same time, there’s a part of me that always is a winner, that wants to be the best,” said Djokovic.
“I’ve been fortunate to experience the greatest things in this sport across 20 years of my career.
“So it does feel not ideal, I guess, when you really are playing big matches and you’re losing against currently the best players in the world.”
Djokovic spoke at length about his chances of beating Alcaraz and Sinner in best-of-three, but how has he performed against the pair in the shorter format so far during his career?
Novak Djokovic’s head-to-head record against Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in best-of-three
In total, Djokovic has played nine career best-of-three set matches against the world number one and two.
Holding a winning 5-4 record, there’s certainly some evidence to suggest the Serb can get it done.
Novak Djokovic’s best-of-three record against Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
Unfortunately for Djokovic, his last best-of-three sets defeat against either player came at the hands of Sinner in Shanghai 12 months ago.
With Sinner and Djokovic placed on the same half of the draw, they could meet again in the 2025 Shanghai Masters semifinals.
Djokovic won’t want to concern himself with a potential semifinal just yet, however, as he prepares to take on Marin Cilic in the first round on Saturday, October 3.