Novak Djokovic Finds Himself the Odd Man Out Again

Novak Djokovic has to feel a sense of déjà vu when he sits back and looks back at the last two years he has had. He hasn’t won a single Grand Slam since his US Open 2023 victory. Similar to his early career struggles against Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, he now has to contend with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

Djokovic Odd Man Out Again?

The Big 3

Before the Big 3 was solidified, two men dominated Grand Slam tennis from 2005 to 2010. Nadal and Federer accounted for twenty-one out of twenty-four Grand Slams – Nadal won nine and Federer twelve, and it was unparalleled dominance from both.

During this period, Djokovic’s stats against the two men at Grand Slams read:

• Against Federer – lost four, won two (at the 2008 Australian Open, Djokovic was the winner; at the 2010 US Open lost to Nadal in the final).
• Against Nadal – lost five, won none.

At the end of the 2010 season, Djokovic was at a real risk of being the perennial third wheel, but as we all know, the rest is history. The Serbian dominated from 2011 onwards, including a fantastic record against Fedal and anyone who came in his way to reach the pinnacle of tennis.

Sinner & Alcaraz

These two men, often called Sincaraz these days like Fedal, have left the tennis fraternity in awe over their sheer dominance in the last two years, and in the process of doing so, giving us a rivalry this sport desperately needed after the Big 3 saw its members retiring. Sinner and Alcaraz have split the last eight Grand Slams, and right now they are way above the rest of the field, including Djokovic.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion’s combined head-to-head against Sincaraz in Grand Slams over the past two years stands at 5-1 (lone win at 2025 Australian Open against Alcaraz). It is a telling tale for a player who has consistently reached the semifinals only to find himself third best to these two.

Future Outlook

Tennis has become increasingly physical over the past few years, and age is your biggest asset when it comes to physicality. Djokovic is 38 years old, and that is a lot of miles on those legs. Perhaps the motivation is there for the Serbian to rise again, like he did some 15 years ago, and solve the riddle of Sincaraz, but the body may not allow him to do so.

Djokovic has never backed down from a fight, but this is the first time he may feel this is too tall an ask. Perhaps these past few years only add to Djokovic’s legacy, given that at 38 years old, he is still very, very good, and it took the exceptional talent of Sincaraz to stop his winning ways. Perhaps he musters up one last dance for number 25, and wouldn’t we all be lucky to witness that?