By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Friday, January 10, 2025
Photo: Jean Catuffe/Getty
Novak Djokovic is an eternal optimist.
The Grand Slam king doesn’t see his highlights as eternal records.
Pegula: The Swiatek case inspires confidence and disappointment
In a new one GQ Cover Q&A24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic mentions the major winner four times Carlos Alcaraz AND World number 1 Jannik Sinner as two players with the potential to surpass his prime mark.
“People say no one will ever beat my records. But I doubt it,” Djokovic told GQ. “I mean, Carlos could be next, even Jannik.
“Carlos has done something that no one in history has done at such a young age. So I think he has every chance. I think he will overcome it very quickly.”
Reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon winner Alcaraz aims to become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam by winning this month’s Australian Open.
The 21-year-old Spaniard has defeated the 37-year-old Serbian superstar in consecutive Wimbledon finals. Djokovic says that while he admires Alcaraz’s ambition, it may be premature to “think about history”.
“He said it himself, he wants to make history,” Djokovic said of Alcaraz. “He wants to be the ‘best in history.’ I respect that kind of mentality, like, ‘Hey, I think I have what it takes.’ But maybe it’s a little early to think about history.”
Djokovic taught a lesson in poise under pressure in his 7-6, 7-6 victory over Alcaraz in the gold medal match at the 2024 Paris Olympics, then gave the reigning Roland Garros champion an encouraging nod.
In his fifth Olympic Games, Djokovic made history as the oldest player to win an Olympic singles gold medal since tennis returned to the Games at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
At the net, Djokovic told Alcarazi that his gold medal moment is coming.
“He told me that one day I will win the Olympic gold medal,” Alcaraz told the media in his post-match press conference. “And we’ll work on it. I’m sure my time will come.”
