McEnroe makes feelings clear on Djokovic’s | Sports News

Nevertheless, McEnroe spotlighted Djokovic’s conduct following the match after Alcaraz secured his berth within the US Open last.

“He doesn’t lose much, but he’s always been gracious enough when he does,” McEnroe mentioned on ESPN, as per Tennis Head. “He always gives the players their due. But this is an incredible challenger [Alcaraz].”

Alcaraz had dropped his earlier two encounters in opposition to Djokovic at this yr’s Australian Open and the 2024 Olympics, although the Spaniard had beforehand captured consecutive Wimbledon finals in opposition to the identical rival.

Since Djokovic’s most up-to-date US Open victory, both Alcaraz or Sinner have claimed the previous seven majors, and the tennis legend confirmed respect for each gamers during his post-match feedback. “It’s never fun losing a tennis match, but at the same time, if I’m to lose to someone, I would lose to these two guys,” Djokovic mentioned of Alcaraz and Sinner.

“I know that they are just better at the moment. You just have to hand it to them and say, ‘Well done.'”.

Djokovic demonstrated his lasting excellence in opposition to Alcaraz however, by his own acknowledgment, discovered it troublesome to bodily compete along with his youthful opponent after the second set. This led McEnroe to be questioned in regards to the risk of Djokovic ending his legendary profession.

“I don’t know. It’s all up to him,” McEnroe acknowledged. “In a way, I wouldn’t be surprised if he stopped. But I would be surprised if he tried to go one more year. That would be my bet.

“He’s been the third-best participant on the earth this yr. That’s what he was. So we hear the applause. That’s good. But these guys have separated themselves. These two [Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner], it is unbelievable. How shortly they’ve simply dominated the sport. What are we gonna do? No Federer, Nadal. Then these two come alongside.”

Alcaraz will meet world No. 1 Sinner in the US Open final on Sunday following the Italian’s four-set triumph over Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime.

The duo is poised to create history as the first men’s pairing to battle in three of the four major finals during the same season, and Djokovic offered a candid evaluation of how he measures against the sport’s emerging superstars. “I misplaced three out of 4 Slams in semis in opposition to these guys, so that they’re simply too good, enjoying on a actually high degree,” Djokovic said.

“Unfortunately, I ran out of fuel after the second set [against Alacaraz]. I believe I had enough power to battle him and to keep up along with his rhythm for 2 units. After that I used to be gassed out, and he saved going.

“That’s kind of what I felt this year also with Jannik. Yeah, best-of-five makes it very, very difficult for me to play them, particularly if it’s the end stages of the Grand Slam.”

Djokovic struggled with the bodily calls for of competing on the US Open and acknowledges that it’ll proceed to affect him within the twilight of his profession. “I’m happy with my level of tennis, but it’s just the physicality of it,” Djokovic informed reporters.

“As I said after the quarter-finals, the press conference when I spoke to you guys, I said I’m going to do my very best to get my body in shape to sustain that level and that rhythm for as many hours as it’s needed. But it wasn’t enough. That’s something I, unfortunately at this point in time in my career, can’t control.”

Despite confronting a monumental problem to beat Alcaraz and Sinner throughout 5 units, the 24-time main champion refuses to give up. “I’m going to continue fighting and trying to get to the finals and fight for another trophy at least. But it’s going to be a very difficult task,” Djokovic mentioned.