Novak Djokovic has picked Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune as the ‘next Big Three’ of tennis and revealed what will cause his retirement.
The 36-year-old asserted that he has no intention to leave the sport while he is winning but declared that the ball is the youngsters’ court as he will consider call it day once the new-gen starts to “kick my butt.”
Djokovic once again showed the glimpses of notorious greatness after dismantling 22-year-old Sinner, 6-3, 6-3 in the final of the 2023 ATP Finals in Turin on Sunday. Prior to that, in the semis, the World No. 1 handed 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz another emphatic defeat (6-3, 6-2).
The Serbian started his victorious run at the season-ending championships with a three-set win over ATP #8, Holger Rune. Sinner was the only player to beat Djokovic at the round-robin stage as he recorded his maiden win against the World No. 1.
Djokovic who will participate at the Davis Cup final 8 knockout stage this week, has just closed one of the most successful seasons of his career in 2023. Out of the 12 tournaments he competed this year, the 24-time Grand Slam champion bagged triumphs at seven tournaments that included 6 big titles (3 Majors, 2 Masters 1000, and a Year-End Championship).
After downing the ATP #4 Sinner, Djokovic lauded the Italian and backed him for major success in the future as he confirmed his intent to keep rolling on the tour.
“What I said on the court for Jannik, I really mean it. Very nice guy. Great values. His family, entire team. He deserves his success. He needs to keep going because he’s definitely on the right path. I’m not the only one who is saying he can win Slams and be No 1 in the world,” he said in his press conference.
“I would be very surprised if that doesn’t happen. I don’t know if it’s next year or the year to come. He’s 22. He has a lot of time ahead of him. Rune, Alcaraz and him are the ‘Big Three – next ‘Big Three’, if you want to call them. They are going to carry this sport.
“I will hang on for as long as I feel like hanging on, as long as I’m, I think as long as I’m able to win against them on the big stage, I’ll still keep going because why stop if you’re still winning the biggest titles? Once they start to, yeah, kick my butt, then I will consider probably having a little break or maybe a permanent break from professional tennis.
“Yeah, Jannik, the Italian tennis is in good hands. I think Jannik is someone that is very professional, that loves his country. He does all the right things with his people. It’s great that we have World Tour Finals in a country that really loves tennis and loves sport.”
Djokovic and Sinner could face off for the third-time at the Davis Cup Final knockout round in Malaga, with Serbia and Italy projected to get through to semis of the ITF event.