Novak Djokovic, one of tennis's greatest legends, has emphatically expressed his determination to confront the young talents currently dominating the sport. Despite having triumphed in 24 Grand Slams, the Serbian still feels motivated to defeat his younger opponents. During the 2026 Fanatics Fest, Djokovic stated, “I want to give them a beating every day of the week,” highlighting his unwavering competitiveness.
The 39-year-old tennis player acknowledges, however, that the evolution of playing styles among younger players like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner poses a challenge. “These two guys remind me so much of myself; it’s like I’m playing against myself from 10 or 15 years ago, and that hurts a little,” Djokovic said, emphasizing the need to adapt to new dynamics on the court. Although he knows “how to decipher the code,” the question remains: “But can I?”
The 2026 season has proven particularly difficult for Djokovic. With nearly three years without winning a Grand Slam and his last ATP victory almost a year ago, the veteran has yet to secure any titles this season, facing several physical issues as well. His participation in tournaments has been limited, having only played five competitions this season. A shoulder injury during the Indian Wells Masters sidelined him from the circuit for almost two months.
His best performance this year was a semifinal at Wimbledon, where Sinner defeated him in straight sets. The pressure is mounting, as the player needs a strong performance during the hard-court season to reverse his situation. After Wimbledon, Djokovic opted for a break and did not participate in any clay-court events, including the Mubadala DC Open, which precedes the start of the hard-court season.
Expectations were high for his return at the Canadian Open on August 2, where he was listed to compete, but the Serbian decided to withdraw from the event on July 24. The main reason was workload management, given that the US Open is rapidly approaching. With Jannik Sinner also withdrawing, tournament director Valérie Tétreault expressed her disappointment but also understanding regarding the demands of the players' schedules: “We respect their decisions and understand that player health must remain a priority.”
The absence of Djokovic, Sinner, and Carlos Alcaraz from the Canadian Open represents a significant blow to the tournament, which is already facing challenges ahead of its start. The focus now shifts to how this dynamic will affect the rest of the season and whether other prominent players will also choose not to participate.
Discover more from Apito Final
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
