Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, made a bold statement about his young rivals Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz after opting to skip the 2025 Monte Carlo Masters to focus on preparation for the French Open. In an interview reported by Express Sport on May 21, 2025, Djokovic expressed confidence in his ability to challenge the duo, stating, “Sinner and Alcaraz are the best right now, but I still believe I can compete with them at the highest level.” This comment came after he closely followed their performances at the Italian Open, where Alcaraz defeated Sinner 7-6 (5), 6-1 in the final, showcasing their dominance on clay.[](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/2058051/Novak-Djokovic-Jannik-Sinner-Carlos-Alcaraz)
Djokovic’s decision to forego Monte Carlo, a tournament he has won twice, was strategic, allowing him to train with new coach Dušan Vemić and analyst Boris Bošnjaković ahead of Roland Garros. He acknowledged the rise of Sinner, the world No. 1 with two 2024 Grand Slams, and Alcaraz, the 2024 French Open champion, but emphasized his enduring motivation. “I’m not here to just participate; I’m here to win slams,” he said, highlighting his focus on peaking for the French Open. Posts on X echoed this sentiment, with @DExpress_Sport noting Djokovic’s confidence in facing the younger stars despite his lighter 2025 schedule.
Sinner’s consistency and Alcaraz’s clay-court prowess, as seen in Rome, make them favorites, but Djokovic’s statement reflects his belief in his experience and adaptability. His recent Australian Open quarterfinal loss to Alcaraz and absence from Sinner’s title run in Melbourne fuel his determination to reassert his dominance in Paris.
