{"id":272106,"date":"2025-10-02T14:47:12","date_gmt":"2025-10-02T14:47:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/272106\/"},"modified":"2025-10-02T14:47:12","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T14:47:12","slug":"novak-djokovic-responds-when-asked-if-he-thinks-he-can-beat-jannik-sinner-and-carlos-alcaraz-over-three-set-matches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/272106\/","title":{"rendered":"Novak Djokovic responds when asked if he thinks he can beat Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz over three set matches"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Novak Djokovic has suffered defeats to the world number one and two at Grand Slams this year.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Serb\u2019s previous three ATP Tour<\/a> defeats have come at the hands of Jannik Sinner (French Open SF, Wimbledon SF) and Carlos Alcaraz (US Open SF).<\/p>\n

Struggling against the youngsters in the Grand Slam best-of-five sets format, Djokovic<\/a> suggested he would have a better chance in the shorter format during a press conference after the US Open.<\/p>\n

\"NovakPhoto by Clive Brunskill\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Making a surprising move, Djokovic has chosen to compete at the Shanghai Masters<\/a> this week, a best-of-three sets tournament.<\/p>\n

Speaking ahead of the event, the 38-year-old has suggested whether he still believes he has a better chance of beating Alcaraz<\/a> and Sinner in the best-of-three format.<\/p>\n

Novak Djokovic says he has a \u2018better chance\u2019 of beating Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in best-of-three<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, the physicality is logically the biggest factor in best-of-three, rather than best-of-five. But it\u2019s all connected, obviously, with the mental part and the game-wise. If you\u2019re physically not at your hundred percent against these guys, you know, you feel like you\u2019re half a step slower, and that affects the whole game,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt affects the whole play, the rallies, and different aspects of the encounter.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, that\u2019s 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\u2019t come in as fresh as they do in the semis.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s okay. I mean, that\u2019s just a biological fact that eventually I have to accept.\u201d<\/p>\n

Djokovic insisted he\u2019s working as hard as possible to maintain competitiveness in his rivalries with Alcaraz and Sinner, aged 38.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Masters events are played over almost two weeks. That\u2019s where I feel I have a better chance, you know, to win a trophy or to make a significant result.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"NovakPhoto by Hu Chengwei\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Djokovic then offered up an honest assessment of his 2025 Grand Slam season, where he lost in four semifinals.<\/p>\n