Novak Djokovic admitted he felt as if he has had a \u201cslap from reality in the last couple of years\u201d as his age begins to catch up with him.<\/p>\n
The Serbian turned 38 this year and while his place as one of the best ever is secured, he is struggling to match the level of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.<\/p>\n
Those two have split the last eight grand slams, preventing Djokovic from adding a 25th to his trophy cabinet, and as they move closer to their prime, Djokovic is moving further away from his.<\/p>\n
While he has maintained he has no plans for retirement, he has said the last few years have been a \u201cslap from reality.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe that to some extent I am the Superman who can never injure myself, that can never be weak,\u201d Djokovic told Piers Morgan.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I got a slap from reality in the last couple of years. I\u2019m just getting to know this new chapter.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m aware that [comparing] my best level now and their best level now, they\u2019re better. That\u2019s the reality.<\/p>\n
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Novak Djokovic admits he \u2018wanted to cry\u2019 as he is asked a question that inspires powerful response<\/a><\/p>\n Every word Novak Djokovic said as he questions Jannik Sinner\u2019s drug ban in explosive new interview<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI have always believed in things that are almost impossible to achieve.<\/p>\n \u201cI do have doubts that I can win Slams against these two guys. But when I enter the court, I don\u2019t care who\u2019s across the net.<\/p>\n \u201cI always believe I\u2019m better and I deserve to win.\u201d<\/p>\n While a 25th Grand Slam looks unlikely, Djokovic has been told to find joy from other tournaments with Justine Henin pointing to his recent success in Athens<\/a> as a sign that the slams are not the be-all and end-all.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know, sometimes all it takes is an injury, a surprise\u2026 But with both [Alcaraz and Sinner], it\u2019s going to be complicated,\u201d Henin told Eurosport France.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll let himself be carried away by opportunities here and there. He\u2019ll nurture hope, but ultimately he\u2019s realistic.<\/p>\n \u201cWe realise that he\u2019s also capable of finding joy elsewhere. When you see the images from Athens\u2026 it really speaks volumes about his love for the game, for the emotions, for sharing with the public.<\/p>\n \u201cThere was a whole story surrounding that tournament, but it shows that he\u2019s capable of finding things outside of the Grand Slam tournaments.\u201d<\/p>\n