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Novak Djokovic reveals the edge he will have over Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner at Grand Slam events in 2025

Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON/AFP via Getty Images
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Novak Djokovic failed to win an ATP title in 2024, as he fell to number seven in the world rankings.

Djokovic endured an unusually quiet season on the ATP Tour this year, as he played just a handful of tournaments.

Perhaps the biggest headline he made this year came in the off-season, as Djokovic recently announced Andy Murray as his coach.

Previews: The Championships - Wimbledon 2024
Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Whilst the Serb failed to pick up an ATP Tour title, Djokovic did win Olympic Gold earlier this year, picking up the one title he hadn’t yet won during his legendary career.

His Major season began with a tough loss to Jannik Sinner, who went on to win his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open.

The 37-year-old had also reached another Grand Slam final in 2024, as Djokovic lost to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon for the second year running.

With Murray on board, Djokovic is now looking ahead to 2025, as he pinpoints the one factor that could see him gain an edge over Alcaraz and Sinner next year.

Novak Djokovic will use his ‘experience’ to win Grand Slams against Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner

Following the conclusion of his 2024 season, Djokovic sat down with Sportweek, to reflect upon a tough year on the ATP Tour.

“I didn’t play much in 2024,” he said.

“Olympic gold and Wimbledon final aside, it was perhaps the least productive season of the last ten years.

“Many ups and downs, issues to resolve also on a private level.”

Looking ahead to 2025, Djokovic believes he can still compete with the top players on the ATP Tour.

“I feel that I can still play at a high level,” he said.

“In the meantime, [Jannik] Sinner and [Carlos] Alcaraz have established themselves as the two best players in the world, without forgetting [Alexander] Zverev.

Six Kings Slam 2024 - Day Three
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images

“All of them will be the main candidates to win the Slams and other titles.

“However, physically and mentally I am ready to play my tennis again.

“I feel I can challenge these guys, and my experience can be useful.”

The Serb has ambitious targets for Major tournaments in the new year but is aware that his aging body could provide some limitations.

“Next year I will play more tournaments and the [Grand] Slams in particular will be my priority,” said Djokovic.

“I will give my best to win, of course, if my body allows me to.

“But I am fine, I still have time to rest and analyze what I can improve to have a better season than the last one.”

Does Novak Djokovic have the edge over Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner at Grand Slams?

Djokovic seems to think that his experience could hand him the advantage over his two younger rivals, but has that been the case so far on the ATP Tour?

The Serb won his first three Grand Slam encounters with Sinner and Alcaraz, but things have turned around pretty significantly since then.

TournamentWinnerLoserScore
2024 Wimbledon – FCarlos AlcarazNovak Djokovic6-2, 6-2, 7-6
2024 Australian Open – SFJannik SinnerNovak Djokovic6-1, 6-2, 6-7, 6-3
2023 Wimbledon – FCarlos AlcarazNovak Djokovic1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4
2023 Wimbledon – SFNovak DjokovicJannik Sinner6-3, 6-4, 7-6
2023 French Open – SFNovak DjokovicCarlos Alcaraz6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1
2022 Wimbledon – QFNovak DjokovicJannik Sinner5-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2
Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam results against Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner

Whilst Djokovic may have had the better of the two youngsters at the beginning of their careers, he is now without a win in his last three encounters against the Spaniard and Italian at Grand Slam level.

Despite his vast experience, and 24 Major titles, three defeats in a row will no doubt worry the Serb as he prepares to face the pair in the latter stages of tournaments in 2025.

What perhaps may give the 37-year-old some confidence, however, is that the other name he mentioned as a threat for next year, Zverev, is yet to beat him at a Grand Slam tournament.

The world number two has lost all three of his battles with Djokovic at Majors, most recently losing in a five-set thriller at the 2021 US Open.

Djokovic is set to return to the court for a warm-up tournament before the 2025 Australian Open which begins on January 12.