"Djokovic, who has been in search of his record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title since the start of the 2024 season, fell in three majors this season to Sinner and Alcaraz, currently the top two players in the world. Djokovic, 38, defeated Alcaraz in the quarterfinals at the year-opening Australian Open but then was forced to retire after the first set of his semifinal match against Alexander Zverev because of a leg injury. Since then, Djokovic has lost in straight sets in the semifinals to Sinner, at the French Open and Wimbledon, and Alcaraz on Friday at Arthur Ashe Stadium."
""I can do only as much as I can do," a dejected Djokovic said during his news conference. "Yeah, it will be very difficult for me in the future to overcome the hurdle of Sinner, Alcaraz, in the best-of-five on the Grand Slams. I think I have a better chance best-of-three, but best-of-five, it's tough.""
"Since Djokovic won his last Slam title, at the 2023 US Open, Sinner, 24, and Alcaraz, 22, have combined to win the past seven major titles. The duo has looked to be on a collision course to face off in the US Open final throughout the tournament and could meet with a trophy on the line for the third consecutive Slam. Sinner is slated to play Felix Auger-Aliassime on Friday night in the day's second semifinal clash."
Novak Djokovic lost 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-2 to Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open semifinals and acknowledged difficulty overcoming younger rivals in best-of-five Grand Slam matches. He has pursued a record 25th major since the start of 2024 and lost three majors this season to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the current top two players. Djokovic beat Alcaraz in the Australian Open quarterfinals but retired in the semifinal against Alexander Zverev due to a leg injury. Djokovic dropped straight-set semifinal matches to Sinner at the French Open and Wimbledon and to Alcaraz at Arthur Ashe Stadium, reached all four major semifinals this year but did not reach a final for the first time since 2017, and cited gaps in fitness and endurance versus younger opponents.
Read at ESPN.com
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