Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion and undisputed titan of tennis, is no stranger to challenges, but a recent critique from his former coach, Goran Ivanisevic, has sent shockwaves through the sport. As the 38-year-old Serbian legend prepares for the 2025 US Open, Ivanisevic’s pointed remarks about Djokovic’s performance against the rising stars of tennis—namely Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz—have sparked intense debate about whether the veteran can still compete at the pinnacle of the game. With a season marked by uncharacteristic struggles and a shifting tennis landscape, Djokovic finds himself at a crossroads, facing questions about his ability to reclaim his dominance.
Ivanisevic, who parted ways with Djokovic in March 2024 after a successful six-year stint that included nine Grand Slam titles, didn’t hold back in his assessment of the Serbian’s recent form. Speaking to Croatian media, he praised the next generation’s prowess, declaring, “Djokovic is the greatest tennis player of all time, but what these two (Sinner and Alcaraz) are doing is another level of tennis.” His words came in the wake of Djokovic’s straight-sets loss to Sinner in the 2025 Wimbledon semifinals, a match where the world No. 1 Italian showcased blistering pace and precision, winning 6-3, 6-3, 6-4. Sinner’s victory, coupled with his subsequent Wimbledon title over Alcaraz, underscored the emergence of a new guard that Ivanisevic believes is pushing the sport to unprecedented heights.
Djokovic’s 2025 season has been a mixed bag, with a 12-7 record and no titles since his Olympic gold in Paris 2024. Early exits in Monte Carlo and Madrid, coupled with injury concerns—an eye infection at the Miami Open and a knee issue at Wimbledon—have raised doubts about his physical resilience. The Wimbledon semifinal against Sinner was particularly telling; a fall in his quarterfinal match against Flavio Cobolli left Djokovic visibly hampered, struggling with movement as Sinner dictated play. “Jannik is the kind of player who loves to play in very fast pace the entire match,” Djokovic noted post-match, acknowledging Sinner’s physicality and pinpoint accuracy. “He’s very fit, and he’s striking the ball incredibly well. He seems to be always in a good timing.” Yet, Ivanisevic’s warning suggests that even Djokovic’s legendary adaptability may not be enough to counter the relentless energy of players a decade his junior.
The Croatian coach, now working with Stefanos Tsitsipas, emphasized the unique challenge posed by Sinner and Alcaraz. At 23 and 22, respectively, the Italian and Spaniard have flipped the script on Djokovic, with Sinner holding a 5-4 head-to-head edge after their latest clashes. Ivanisevic’s tenure with Djokovic gave him an intimate understanding of the Serbian’s game, making his comments all the more striking. During their time together, Djokovic transformed into a relentless machine, capturing titles across all four majors and completing a Career Golden Masters twice. But Ivanisevic’s observation that Sinner and Alcaraz are operating on “another level” points to a shift in tennis’s hierarchy, where youth, speed, and fearless aggression are redefining the sport.
Djokovic’s response to these challenges has been characteristically defiant. After splitting with Andy Murray as his coach in May 2025, he turned to familiar faces Dusan Vemic and Boris Bosnjakovic to guide him through the clay season and beyond. “It’s always nice to be among my people. It gives me motivation to continue,” Djokovic said of his training in Serbia, signaling his intent to keep fighting. His current team, announced at the Geneva Open, reflects a return to trusted allies from his dominant years, with Vemic having coached him during multiple Grand Slam runs. Yet, Ivanisevic’s warning looms large: can Djokovic’s technical mastery and mental fortitude overcome the physical toll of a 17-year career and the explosive play of younger rivals?
As the US Open approaches, Djokovic remains a formidable contender, chasing a record-extending 25th Grand Slam and his 100th career title. His history at Flushing Meadows—four titles and a 2023 triumph—makes him a favorite, but the path is fraught with obstacles. Sinner and Alcaraz, both in top form, will be joined by other threats like Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz, who are eager to capitalize on any slip-ups. Ivanisevic’s comments serve as a stark reminder that Djokovic, once untouchable, now faces a generation that matches his skill with youthful vigor. “Tennis has consumed most of my life,” Djokovic recently told reporters, insisting, “It’s never enough… and I still don’t feel it’s enough for me.” Whether that fire can propel him past the “another level” tennis of Sinner and Alcaraz will be the defining question of his 2025 US Open campaign.
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