John McEnroe has praised Novak Djokovic for pushing the next generation of tennis stars, like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, to elevate their games to new heights. According to McEnroe, Djokovic’s long-standing dominance has been a key motivator for these young players as they strive to establish themselves as the future of men’s tennis.
Sinner’s recent triumph in the Australian Open final, where he comfortably defeated Alexander Zverev to successfully defend his title, solidified his place as the world No. 1. McEnroe, a seven-time Grand Slam winner, believes that Sinner’s rise marks a new era in tennis, but he also credits Djokovic for inspiring the Italian’s growth. McEnroe noted that Sinner had to find new gears in his game to rise to the top, with Djokovic’s consistent excellence forcing his younger counterparts to improve.
“Djokovic, you’ve got to hand it to him because he’s forced these youngsters to get better,” McEnroe explained to Eurosport. “They realise how good he is and still is, and he showed that when he outwitted Alcaraz in their match at the Australian Open.”
McEnroe went on to reflect on the ongoing shift in men’s tennis, highlighting how Sinner and Alcaraz are now firmly in the mix, having won all four Grand Slam titles in 2024. “We have been talking about when the changing of the guard would happen, and you’re seeing it for real,” he said. “Sinner and Alcaraz won all four majors last year, and now we’re looking at who’s going to be the next dominant player. Will it be an American? Will Joao Fonseca be the one to break through? But right now, it’s looking like Sinner and Alcaraz are set to dominate the sport for years to come.”
McEnroe also addressed an ongoing issue surrounding Sinner: the potential suspension hanging over his head due to a failed drug test last year. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is appealing the decision not to suspend Sinner, and the case is scheduled for a hearing in April. The Italian tested positive for clostebol, an anabolic steroid, but the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) cleared him, agreeing with his explanation that the substance was not taken intentionally. Despite the legal proceedings, McEnroe was surprised that Sinner’s focus on the court had not been impacted.
“Off the court, there’s the issue with the drug situation, with a potential suspension looming,” McEnroe noted. “I thought that might affect him at the US Open, but it didn’t. He played fantastic there. Then, when they said the case was over, it cropped up again, and you’d think that might get into his head. But no, it hasn’t. He’s able to play just as effectively, if not better. He’s an awesome player. His ability to get into the corners, the pressure he puts on opponents—it’s unbelievable.”
As Sinner’s career continues to skyrocket, his total prize money neared $40 million following his third Grand Slam victory. That number is expected to keep climbing rapidly, provided the outcome of the WADA appeal does not halt his momentum.
Despite the looming controversy, Sinner’s resilience and talent remain undeniable, and McEnroe’s admiration for the young star’s potential is clear. If he can keep his focus and stay clear of any setbacks, Sinner appears poised to dominate the tennis world for years to come.