Novak Djokovic is eager to take on Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at the Grand Slam level when he returns to action at the Australian Open after a lackluster 2024 season, the 24-time Grand Slam champion said.
After dominating last year with three major titles, the 37-year-old has struggled in 2024, failing to secure a Grand Slam victory for the first time since his injury-hit 2017 season.
World No. 1 Sinner dethroned Djokovic at Melbourne Park en route to his maiden Grand Slam win, and the 23-year-old Italian also beat the Serb in the Shanghai Masters final in October.
Reigning U.S. Open champion Sinner added the ATP Finals title to his tally, while Djokovic withdrew from the season-ending event due to injury.
Djokovic also withdrew from the French Open quarterfinals because of a knee injury, while 14-time champion Rafael Nadal lost to Alexander Zverev in the first round, allowing Alcaraz to dominate Roland Garros.
The 21-year-old Spaniard, Alcaraz, also retained his Wimbledon title. However, Djokovic clinched his maiden Olympic gold in Paris, defeating Alcaraz three weeks after their Wimbledon final, proving his resilience.
“I feel I can still play at the highest level. Sinner and Alcaraz have established themselves as the two best players in the world, not to forget (Alexander) Zverev,” Djokovic said in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport on Saturday.
“All of them will be the main candidates to win the Slams and other titles. However, physically and mentally, I am ready to play my tennis again, and I have the feeling that I can challenge these guys. My experience can come in handy.”
Djokovic, who slipped to seventh in the ATP rankings, said 2024 was perhaps his least profitable season in the last 10 years.
“So, next year I will play more tournaments, and the Grand Slams will be my priority. I will give my best to win, of course, if my body allows me to,” he said.
Asked what advice he would give Sinner, Djokovic said: “It seems to me that he is doing well even without my advice. But winning your first two Slams and becoming No. 1 is one thing; staying at that level for years is another.”
Following the retirements of Roger Federer, Andy Murray, and Rafael Nadal, Djokovic remains the last man from his generation still pushing for the crown.
Former Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion Murray has joined Djokovic’s coaching team as the latter bids to win a record-extending 11th Australian Open when the season’s first major starts Jan. 12.