Novak Djokovic believes that Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Holger Rune will dominate tennis and that he won’t consider retiring until they begin to regularly defeat him.
The top seed, who has won every Grand Slam this season save one, defeated Sinner in straight sets to win the ATP Finals trophy for the seventh time.
Djokovic feels that a new era in men’s tennis is not far off and believes Sinner can also be the world No. 1 player. He says he would be stunned if Sinner did not accomplish that and win multiple Slams.
Djokovic said after his ATP Finals victory: “Rune, Alcaraz, and Sinner are, you know, the big three—the next big three if you want to call them. They’re going to carry this sport. I will hang on for as long as I feel like hanging on.”
He further added: “As long as I’m able to still win against them on the big stage, I’ll still keep going because, you know, why stop if you’re still winning the biggest titles? But once they start to kick my butt, then I’ll consider having a little break or maybe a permanent break from professional tennis.”
Novak Djokovic says Alcaraz, Sinner, & Rune are ‘the next Big 3,’ but he will keep playing as long as they aren’t kicking his butt:
“Carlos, Jannik, & Holger are the big three.. the next big three, if you want to call them. They are going to carry this sport. I will hang on for… pic.twitter.com/FUqsM4ibWg
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 19, 2023
Novak Djokovic in 2023
Ranked world no.1, the Serbian played his last match on the 19th of November when he beat world no.4 Jannik Sinner 6-3 6-3 in the final in the Nitto ATP Finals to win his 98th career title.
At present, during this year the Serbian owns a compiled 55-6 record. The Serbian conquered 7 titles in 2023 in Adelaide, Australian Open, French Open, Cincinnati, U.S. Open, Paris and the Nitto ATP Finals. The Serbian got to the final in Wimbledon.
Jannik Sinner in 2023
Now the world no.4 (career-high), the Italian played his last contest on the 19th of November when he capitulated to world no.1 Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-3 in the final in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
At the moment, during this season the Italian has achieved a composed 61-15 record. Sinner clinched 4 titles in 2023 in Montpellier, Toronto, Beijing and Vienna. Jannik was the runner-up in Rotterdam, Miami and the Nitto ATP Finals.
Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner squared off 5 times. Their head to head is 4-1 for Djokovic. Previously, the last time they fought against each other, Novak Djokovic won 6-3 6-3 in the final in Turin (Nitto ATP Finals) on the 19th of November 2023.
In the following video you can watch the key moments of their match.
Holger Rune in 2023
Currently the world no.8, Rune played his last match on the 16th of November when he was defeated by world no.4 Jannik Sinner 6-2 5-7 6-4 in the round robin in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
This season the Dane has a 44-24 match record. Rune conquered 1 title in Munich. Holger was the finalist in Monte-Carlo and in Rome.
Carlos Alcaraz in 2023
Ranked world no.2, Carlos played his last match on the 18th of November when he was defeated by world no.1 Novak Djokovic 6-3 6-2 in the semifinal in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
This year Carlos has a 65-12 match record. Carlos has won 6 titles in 2023 in Buenos Aires, Indian Wells, Barcelona, Madrid, London and Wimbledon. The Spaniard was the runner-up in Rio de Janeiro and in Cincinnati.
Holger Rune and Carlos Alcaraz played each other 3 times. The head to head is 2-1 for Alcaraz. Previously, the last time they played each other, Carlos Alcaraz won 7-6(3) 6-4 6-4 in the quarter in London (Wimbledon) on the 12th of July 2023.
In the video below you can watch the highlights.
Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Holger Rune and Carlos Alcaraz |
Embed from Getty Images |