Novak Djokovic is arguably the greatest tennis player of all time, but he spent a significant portion of his career competing with other all-time greats, whether it was Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at the beginning of his career or now Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner at the end. However, he is not a fan of the notion that he is “chasing” anyone in his career.
This week, Djokovic fell to Sinner in three sets in the semifinal at Wimbledon before Sinner went on to win the championship on Sunday. The loss led to a question about how Djokovic is now “chasing” Alcaraz and Sinner after previously “chasing” Nadal and Federer.
Needless to say, Djokovic was not a fan of the question.
“I’m chasing Jannik and Carlos? In what sense?” Djokovic responded. “I’m always the chaser and never been chased?”
The reporter noticed Djokovic’s frustration, acknowledging that “in the meantime, you won 24 Grand Slams.”
“Thanks,” Djokovic said. “It’s worth saying that sometimes, right?”
“I find it a little bit disrespectful that you kind of missed out on what happened in between the times when I started ‘chasing,’ as you say, Rafa and Roger, and now that I’m chasing Carlos and Jannik,” Djokovic said. “There was probably about a 15-year period in between where I was dominating the Grand Slams. So I think it’s important to put that in perspective.”
While Djokovic acknowledges that both Sinner and Alcaraz are better than he is right now, that doesn’t mean that he’s “chasing” them, and it doesn’t mean that he’s going to stop competing.
“I don’t feel like I’m chasing, to be honest. You know, Rafa and Roger will always be my greatest rivals. I have tremendous respect for what Jannik and Carlos are doing, and they continue to do, and will do, for the next 10, 15, 20 years – God knows how many years they’re going to play, they’re so young.”
“I don’t think I’m chasing anyone,” he added. “I’m creating my own history.”
“Are they better right now than me and all the other guys? Yes, they are. The quality and the level is amazing. It’s great. It’s phenomenal. But does that mean I walk out with a white flag? No. I’m going to fight to the last shot, to the last point, and do my very best to challenge them,” he said.
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