Djokovic on Sinner and Alcaraz: “I’m not the favourite, but this is my best chance”

Despite praise from his former coach Goran Ivanisevic, Novak Djokovic downplays his role as the man to beat at Wimbledon, while quietly backing himself to go deep.

As Novak Djokovic continues his bid for an eighth Wimbledon title, the 38-year-old Serbian remains both realistic and quietly confident. Speaking after his latest win at the All England Club against Alex de Minaur, Djokovic addressed recent comments from his former coach Goran Ivanisevic, who labelled him the only player capable of beating both Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in a Grand Slam, and the favourite to win the title this year.

“I love Goran, and I’m happy he loves me back,” Djokovic said with a smile. “But I don’t think I’m a favourite against these guys at the moment. I think they are, both of them.”

Goran Ivanisevic and Novak Djokovic, Monte-Carlo | © Panoramic

With Sinner now the world No 1 and Alcaraz No 2 coming off a title at Roland-Garros and two Wimbledon finals won against Djokovic, the tennis landscape is shifting. The 24-time Grand Slam champion, however, isn’t surrendering his place at the top just yet.

Djokovic : no doubt”

“I do probably have my best chance here against them, yeah,” he added. “If it comes down to me facing one of them or both, which I hope – it means I’ve made it all the way to the finals – then I’ll obviously look for my best game to win.”

Per the draw, Djokovic would play Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals if he eliminates Flavio Cobolli in quarters, and eventually Carlos Alcaraz in the final, like in 2023 and 2024.

Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner, Roland-Garros, 2025 © Chryslene Caillaud / Psnewz

“There’s no doubt about it, I think I do have a chance,” he said. “My results on grass in the previous years are a testament to my confidence on this surface. I’ve been playing some really good tennis this year. So I feel good about myself. I feel confident. I feel motivated to go all the way. Let’s see what happens.”

Djokovic holds a 2-2 record against both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in Grand Slam matches. He defeated Alcaraz earlier this year in the Australian Open quarterfinals but has lost both of their encounters in Wimbledon finals.

Top quality shots measured for Djokovic

Against Sinner, Djokovic fell in the Roland-Garros quarterfinals this year and hasn’t beaten the current world No. 1 since the ATP Finals in 2023. Still, he remains undefeated against the Italian at Wimbledon, holding a 2-0 record on the grass of the All England Club.

Based on information collected by Tennis Majors, Djokovic is the only player in the men’s draw who, after three matches, ranks in the Top 5 in every shot metric: serve, return, forehand, and backhand. He is ranked No. 1 in both forehand and backhand. This year at Wimbledon, Djokovic is playing a more patient and defensive style of tennis, but with excellent conversion rates.

If he wins the title, he would equal Roger Federer with eight Wimbledon championships. He would also become the player (male or female) with the most singles Grand Slam titles in history.

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