Novak Djokovic’s career twilight was summed up quite strongly when he shared with reporters his story about watching the recent, epic French Open final between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic didn’t want to watch the final. He was with his family, outside and away from the television.
It was the all-time great’s family who wanted to get inside and see what was happening.
“I didn’t watch the first part of the match because I was outside with my family but they were insisting on coming back and watching, so I said ‘OK let’s go and watch,'” Djokovic said.
It didn’t take long for the 24-time major champion to become engrossed in the match.
“It was already the third hour so we watched for two-and-a-half hours and I was at first quite neutral, I was not cheering for anyone and was trying to watch as a fan. But very quickly, I became so immersed in the match and I started sweating and feeling all emotional about it because it was amazing.”
Alcaraz came back in epic fashion to win, and he and Sinner proved that they’re the two best players in the world right now.
It’s a sombering flip of affairs for Djokovic, who spent so long as a near-constant presence in major finals. Now, all he could do was watch.
Djokovic is seeded sixth at Wimbledon, a tournament he has won seven times.
He’s also gaining energy from watching the brilliance of Alcaraz and Sinner.
“It provides more motivation, when I see something like that I get pumped, I want to be part of those matches again,” Djokovic said.
Djokovic turned 38 in May. In his conversation with reporters before Wimbledon, he shared that this is the major he feels he still has the best chance to win.
He’s hoping that this time on the day of the final, he isn’t sitting on his couch.
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