Wimbledon 2024: Novak Djokovic says he’s not at the level of Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner after final defeat

Novak Djokovic says he is “not at that level yet” after suffering a painful defeat to Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s Wimbledon final.

It is another result that marks a changing of the guard in men’s tennis.

Together, 21-year-old Alcaraz and 22-year-old Jannik Sinner have won all three Grand Slam tournaments this year.

“They are both by far the best this year, but I feel like I’m not at that level yet,” said Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

“To really have a chance to beat these guys in the final stages of a Grand Slam or at the Olympics, I’m going to have to play a lot better than I did today and feel a lot better than I did today.”

Djokovic has yet to win a single title this year, making it his worst start to a season since 2006.

The 37-year-old player was outclassed by Alcaraz in the final on Sunday. The young Spaniard made clever drop shots, powerful serves and convincing forehand winners.

“Generally I didn’t feel as good on the court against him today,” Djokovic said during his press conference.

“That’s it. He was a better player. He played every shot better than me.”

When Djokovic broke in the fourth set of the final last year, he vented his frustrations by slamming his racket against the net post.

Yet there was hardly any emotion from the seven-time Wimbledon champion when he was two sets down on Sunday.

Nick Kyrgios, who finished runner-up to Djokovic in 2022, described him as “so flat”.

“I would have liked to have seen – whether it was a racket smash or a howl or something – after Novak lost those two sets, I needed to see an outburst to reset his energy,” Kyrgios told BBC TV.

“He played so inconspicuously for so long and then he really came to life in the third set at 3-2, but it was just too late.”

The Serb underwent surgery to repair a tear in the medial meniscus of his right knee less than a month before his first-round match.

“If someone had told me three or four weeks ago that I would play the Wimbledon final, I would have definitely done it,” Djokovic said.

Alcaraz called it “amazing” and “unbelievable” what Djokovic had achieved in the past two weeks. He described his opponent as “superman”.

“I did everything I could to prepare for this match and for this tournament in general,” Djokovic added.

“Today I saw that, as I said, I was half a step behind him in every way. That is the reality that I have to accept at this moment.”

Although Djokovic feels that his recent performances have not matched those of Sinner or Alcaraz, he has no plans to retire just yet.

He still plans to represent Serbia at the Olympic Games in Paris this summer, hoping to win a gold medal there, the only thing missing from his vast trophy collection.

“Hopefully I can find the right tennis because I need everything I have to reach the final of the Olympic Games,” Djokovic said.

He added: “As far as coming back here, I mean, I would love it. I have nothing else in mind at the moment other than this being my last Wimbledon.

“I have no limitations in my mind. I want to continue and play as long as I feel I can play at this high level.”