The wait goes on for Novak Djokovic to eclipse Roger Federer and stand alone as the greatest male player in Wimbledon history.
Djokovic is stuck on seven titles – one shy of the eight Federer won – following a second successive final defeat to Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday.
In truth, this year proved a valiant effort from Djokovic. He required knee surgery after Roland Garros but still took his place in the Wimbledon draw.
He wasn’t really tested in the build-up to the final against Alcaraz and even received a bye in the quarter-final after Alex de Minaur pulled out with a hip injury.
After losing the Wimbledon final, Djokovic has made a claim about where his game is – and has praised some of his competitors on the tour.
Novak Djokovic picks the best two tennis players on tour right now
It’s been a pretty tough year for Djokovic so far with all three of the major titles contested eluding his grasp.
He was beaten by Jannik Sinner in the semis at the Australian Open and was then forced to forfeit at the quarter-final stage at Roland Garros.
Now, he’s lost another Wimbledon final to Alcaraz, with Nick Kyrgios suggesting that the guard has changed between the two players at Wimbledon.
Djokovic has almost admitted defeat somewhat during his latest press conference – sharing who he thinks are the best two players on tour right now.
He told the press at Wimbledon: “Being able to reach the final of Wimbledon gives a great confidence boost. But I also feel like in a matchup today against the best player in the world right now for sure, other than Jannik, both of them are the best this year by far… I feel like I’m not at that level.
“In order to really have a chance to beat these guys in the Grand Slam latter stages or Olympics, I’m gonna have to play much better than I did today and feel much better than I did today.
“It’s not something I haven’t experienced before in my life.. in the face of adversity, normally I rise, learn, and get stronger. That’s what I’m going to do.”
Djokovic must dig deep to prove he can still win major titles
With Alcaraz on the charge to legendary status despite his tender years and Sinner currently top of the world rankings, Djokovic is in a bit of a quandary.
He will head to the Olympics looking to win gold and ultimately the US Open will follow shortly after that tournament.
It’s not going to be an easy thing for the players to do when it comes to switching between surfaces and at 37 that might prove tough for Djokovic.
Given his undoubted talent, it would appear as though the player has at least one more big crown left in the locker.
That said, Alcaraz and Sinner look set to be the future stars and Djokovic has to come up with a master plan to try and stop them.
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