‘Disrespectful’ – Watch as Djokovic responds to question about Nadal, Federer, Djokovic and Sinner
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Novak Djokovic said he is creating his own tennis history in response to a “disrespectful” question about his “greatest rivals” Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Djokovic, who holds the joint all-time record of 24 Grand Slam titles alongside Margaret Court, disputed a claim he was “chasing” Nadal and Federer in their iconic three-way rivalry in the same way he is trying to keep apace with the current men’s top two, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
The Serbian pointed towards his own period of dominance in major tournaments following an era between 2004-2010 in which Nadal and Federer shared 24 of the 28 Grand Slam titles on offer.
Djokovic said: “Well, I find it a little bit disrespectful that you kind of miss 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.
“There’s 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. I don’t feel like I’m chasing, to be honest.
“Roger and Rafa will always be my greatest rivals. I have tremendous respect for what Jannik and Carlos are doing, and they continue to do, and they will do for the next 10 to 15, 20 years. God knows how many years they’re going to play, they’re so young.”
Highlights: Djokovic survives huge scare to reach semis as Musetti retires when leading
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Alcaraz and Sinner shared the four major titles on offer last season and Djokovic said they are “the two best players in the world,” but the 38-year-old champion added he would “cheer for” a third player if they were to emerge as challengers to Sinner and Alcaraz – having always been the “third guy” himself.
“This is a kind of natural cycle in sports,” Djokovic said. “You’re going to have another two superstars that are going to maybe have another third guy that I’m going to cheer for, because I’ve always been the third guy at the beginning, but it’s good for our sport.
“I think these kind of rivalries, and the contrast of the personalities and the styles of play, are very good for tennis. How is that affecting me? As I said, I don’t feel like I’m chasing.
“I’m creating my own history, and I think I’ve been very clear when I say that my intention is always to, in terms of achievements and objectives and results, I want to get to the championship match in every tournament, particularly Slams.
“Slams are one of the biggest reasons why I keep on competing and playing tennis.
“Are they better right now than me and all the other guys? Yes, they are. I mean, the quality and the level is amazing. It’s great. It’s phenomenal.
“But does that mean that I walk out with a white flag? No. I’m going to fight until the last shot, until the last point, and do my very best to challenge them.”
Djokovic advanced to the semi-finals of the Australian Open on Wednesday after his opponent, Lorenzo Musetti, was forced to retire injured while two sets ahead in their quarter-final.
Watch: Djokovic ‘out of sorts’ as he aims frustration at chair umpire – ‘What is going on here?’
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It followed Djokovic receiving free passage to the final eight after his fourth-round opponent, Jakub Mensik, withdrew ahead of their scheduled meeting in Monday’s night session.
Djokovic is searching for a 25th major title, which would pull him clear in the all-time record books – but feels he “underperformed” against the Italian before the match was cut short.
“I don’t want to take out anything from Musetti’s variety that he put in and the quality of tennis he put in today,” Djokovic said.
“It was great, for sure. But I think I’ve underperformed for the level that I showed throughout this tournament up to today.
“I have to play better. No doubt about it. I know that if I’m feeling well and the body is holding on and I’m playing well, then I always have a chance.
‘I was on my way home tonight’ – Djokovic laments ‘unfortunate’ result as Musetti retires with lead
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“It’s the semi-finals of a Grand Slam, so in terms of level of confidence and motivation, of course, it’s always there. It must be. Otherwise, what’s the point of competing?
“So I’ve been in this situation many, many times in my career, and obviously four times last year. I’m glad to repeat the best Grand Slam result from last year, which is reaching semis.
“I know that it’s only going to get tougher from here, but I have to be ready for it. Now, I cannot predict the result of whether I’m going to play well or not, but I’m definitely going to give my best.”
Djokovic will face Sinner for a place in the Australian Open final, having lost his last five matches against the Italian – two of which coming in Grand Slam semi-finals last year.
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