Novak Djokovic wants to see a “third guy” to take the “Djoker spot” of challenging the top two players in the world. And the Serbian has named Holger Rune and Joao Fonseca as potential future superstars. Djokovic, now 38, was chasing Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal at the start of his career before winning 24 Grand Slam titles.
Now a new generation of players are seeking to stop Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz dominating the men’s game. The Italian and the Spaniard have won the last seven Grand Slam titles since Djokovic won the 2023 US Open. The world No.7 said: “I think their rivalry is amazing. What they have done in the previous two years is, you know, remarkable for both of these players. Particularly this year the finals that we have seen them play against each other in Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and a few other tournaments, it’s just amazing for our sport.
“On a global sport stage, these are the types of encounters and rivalries people get very excited about. When it comes to individual sports like ours or boxing, Formula One racing, whatever it is, golf, people love to see rivalries. I think their rivalry is, without a doubt, the best one we have in the moment. And it looks like it’s going to stay like that for some time.
“And then you have obviously other young players that are definitely going to challenge them, and hopefully somebody can get in the mix. You know, Rune was there, and he kind of goes up and down. Fonseca.
“There are players that are able to have that Djoker spot, the third spot. I kind of empathise with the third guy, because I was in those shoes with Federer and Nadal. I want to see a third guy coming in. But it’s fun. Obviously to see these guys play on such a high level is amazing.”
Four-time Grand Slam champion Jim Courier declared earlier this year that now is “the era of the Big Two”.
But Wimbledon champion Sinner claimed: “If we don’t continue to improve, players will catch us. It’s just a question of time. So we or what I am trying to do is to understand where I can work on. Then we have certain areas of the game certainly where we can work on. From my point of view, that’s positive. It only makes me a better tennis player and in the future.
“To have rivalries, it’s great. You know, it’s good for the sport, it’s good for personal view because, you know, sometimes when you’re tired in practice, you know, you try to simulate certain things, because they can happen in the real match.
“At the moment, me and Carlos, we are sharing big trophies, but in the same time, things can change. You never know. There are great, great players out there, and to the way to the final, it’s very difficult to get there. So let’s see if this continues. But in the other way, I always say we have to improve, because players, they understand us now how we are. So let’s see in the future.”
Before bidding to win a fifth US Open title, Djokovic delivered the the ceremonial first pitch before the New York Yankees played the Boston Red Sox on Thursday night.
“It was a great experience. I want to thank the Yankees organization for making it possible for me. It was my first baseball experience overall. First time visiting any baseball game.
“It was a packed house, almost 50,000 people. Obviously big rivalry. Probably biggest rivalry you have in the baseball, with Red Sox and Yankees. Got that privilege to be able to access the locker room and meet Aaron Judge and the guys. So impressed with Aaron particularly and his size. I mean, he’s humongous. I mean, incredible. (Laughter.) Yeah, he was very nice. I gave him a racquet, signed racquet, and he gave me a bat.
“I was warming up with one of the guys for that pitch. It was in the level ground. Then once I got to go and, you know, throw the first pitch, I was on elevated ground, like a little hill. I didn’t throw that accurate, but it still wasn’t as embarrassing I think as some of the other guys I saw in the past!
“Yeah, it was fun. I was treated very nicely, and I was very honored to be there. To be honest, I became a fan. didn’t follow baseball that much, didn’t know what to think of it, to be honest. But since yesterday, I really became a fan.
“I followed it as everyone was giving me, like, a little bit of details and insights on the game. Then, you know, once you really understand it and you follow it, then you really immerse in it. I really liked the experience. I didn’t stay all the way through to the end, but I watched more than half of the game and really enjoyed myself.”