Novak Djokovic has admitted that there will come a time when he won’t win Grand Slams after losing to Jannik Sinner in the Shanghai Masters final.
Djokovic achieved a lifelong goal this year, defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the Olympic final and completing his career ‘Golden Slam’, which requires players to win all four Grand Slams and Olympic gold.
Djokovic spoke candidly about his season after his defeat to SinnerGETTY
The Serb never even got to deuce on the Sinner serveGETTY
But despite achieving this, Djokovic admitted 2024 has been one of his ‘worst performing seasons’ after being denied his 100th title win in Shanghai.
Speaking after the 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 defeat to world no. 1 Sinner, he said: “Well, I mean, comparing to most of my seasons throughout my career this has been one of the worst-performing seasons in terms of results.”
He continued: “But, you know, it was going to come at some point where, you know, I wouldn’t win slams and maintain that highest level for so many years in a row.
“And that’s okay, I’m happy with my gold medal from the Olympics, that was the main goal for this year. And, you know, of course I wish that I could have gotten at least a Grand Slam title or won a big title, but it’s fine, you know, it is what it is.”
Despite falling to defeat at the final hurdle, Djokovic was still pleased with his overall performance and insisted he isn’t giving up the ghost yet.
The 37-year-old said: “It’s a kind of a season that you just have to accept, embrace, and I’m more than happy with what I have achieved throughout my career, so I’ll just, yeah, see what next challenges bring to me.”
The 24-time Grand Slam winner has won just one title in 2024 after winning seven in 2023.
He was knocked out of the US Open in the third round by Alexei Popyrin, concluing his first Grand Slam season without a trophy for the first time since 2017.
Djokovic is now the final member of the ‘Big Four’ still standing.
Other members Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have all hung up their rackets, with the latter being the most recent to do so.
Djokovic is the last one standing from the ‘Big Four’Getty
And with a new generation including Sinner coming through, the Serbian admitted the retirement of Nadal has been hard to grasp as he reflected on his own career.
He said: “Well I posted, you saw it on Instagram. I meant every word.
“You know, he’s been my greatest rival. The rivalry I had with him has impacted me the most in my career by far.”
“We knew that that moment is coming sooner than later but it’s still a shock when it came officially,” he continued. “Also for Roger a few years ago when he announced retirement and Andy as well this year. I mean it’s a bit overwhelming for me to be honest.
“I don’t know what to make out of it.”
He added: “I still enjoy competing but part of me left with them, big part of me.
“So it’s a tough news for tennis world, for sports world. Rafa has been an inspiration – is an inspiration to millions of children around the world so he can be very proud of his career.”
