Novak Djokovic Says Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner 'Just Too Good' After US Open Exit

Novak Djokovic said No. 1 Jannik Sinner and No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz are "just too good" for him to beat in best-of-five competition after his semifinal elimination from the 2025 US Open.

Djokovic was eliminated Friday in New York with a 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-2 semifinal loss to Alcaraz.

He also made it to the semifinals of the French Open and Wimbledon Championships this year before losing both times to Sinner.

"I lost three out of four slams in semis against these guys," Djokovic told reporters after Friday's loss. "They're just too good, playing on a really high level."

The 38-year-old said he had noticed himself running out of energy to keep up with both Alcaraz, 22, and Sinner, 24, two sets into each match.

That fatigue was visible in Friday's US Open semifinal battle with Alcaraz, during which Djokovic was able to push the second set to a tiebreak but Alcaraz dominated in the match-deciding third set.

"Unfortunately, I ran out of gas after the second set," Djokovic said about Friday's loss. "I think I had enough energy to battle him, and to keep up with his rhythm, for two sets. After that, I just gassed out, and he kept going."

"That's kind of what I felt this year, also, with Jannik. Best of five makes it very, very difficult for me to play them, particularly if it's like the end stages of the Grand Slam."

Djokovic added that he is "not giving up" on Grand Slams despite his struggle to match the younger stars' physicality.

"I'm happy with my level of tennis. It's just the physicality of it," Djokovic said. "As I said after the quarterfinals... I said, 'I'm going to do my best to get my body in shape to sustain that level and that rhythm for as many hours as it's needed,' but it wasn't enough. That's something that I unfortunately, at this point in time in my career, can't control. I can do only as much as I can do."

Djokovic continued, "It will be very difficult for me in the future to overcome the hurdle of Sinner, Alcaraz in the best of five on the Grand Slams. I think I have a better chance best of three, but best of five, it's tough.

"I'm not giving up on Grand Slams in that regard. Having said that, I'm going to continue fighting and trying to get to the finals, and fight for another trophy at least. But it's going to be a very difficult task."

Djokovic last won a Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open, when he defeated Daniil Medvedev for the title. He also made it to the final at Wimbledon in 2024 before losing to Alcaraz.

For now the 24-time major champion will be watching as Sinner and Alcaraz face off in the 2025 US Open final. The championship match is set to begin at 2 p.m. ET Sunday at Arthur Ashe Stadium.