Novak Djokovic praises ‘great rivalry’ which is ‘good for our sport’
Novak Djokovic has called the burgeoning rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, which has produced some of the most eye-catching tennis action over the past year, good for tennis.
Djokovic returned to the ATP Tour earlier this week in Monte Carlo after missing out on the sunshine double due to his vaccination status.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion explained to Eurosport what he did off the field during this time: “I got to spend some time with the family and do other things off the field. But I thought about tennis, especially about myself and how I can best prepare myself to start the clay court season well.”
Djokovic continued: “I’ve been following some of the Indian Wells and Miami games, highlights more than the entire game – not much patience for that – but I’ve seen some spectacular points particularly from Alcaraz, Sinner, [Daniil] Medvedev.”
“I think it’s a big rivalry that’s coming up between Alcaraz and Sinner – it’s good for our sport.”
Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner
Djokovic has previously played against both Alcaraz and Sinner but is yet to clinch a win against the Spaniard.
Here’s the head-to-head between the three top 10 players:
Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz: 0-1
Last meeting (2022) – Alcaraz beat Djokovic, 6(5)-7 7-5 7-6(5) (Madrid Open semifinals)
Novak Djokovic vs. Jannik Sinner: 2-0
Last encounter (2022) – Djokovic beat Sinner 5:7, 2:6, 6:3, 6:2, 6:2 (Wimbledon quarter-finals)
Carlos Alcaraz vs. Jannik Sinner: 3-3
Last meeting (2023) – Sinner beat Alcaraz, 6(4)-7 6-4 6-2 (Miami Open semi-finals)
Despite being absent from the tour for a month, Djokovic doesn’t seem overly concerned about losing sight of the rest and suggested the change in surface could be compensation.
“I’m in a pretty similar position to most other players, it’s the first event on clay,” he said. “I played Adelaide, the Australian Open and Dubai and did pretty solid for the first few months of the year.”
“Obviously I wish I could have played a few more games in America, it didn’t happen, but that’s fine. I feel good, I’ve been training on clay for the last two or three weeks.”
He added: “It’s the most dynamic surface in sport, we know it takes a bit of time to get a feel for how to move properly and construct the point.”
The Serb will continue his comeback later in Monte Carlo when he meets Lorenzo Musetti, whom he has never lost to, in the third round.
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