Novak Djokovic plans rematch over Jannik Sinner: "I will not be the one of the last 18 months"

Novak Djokovic in an interview with Sky Sports explained how he is working to make the best of 2026, his 23rd year as a professional tennis player. In the Serbian star’s sights are the two phenoms who dethroned him, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, now unreachable for almost everyone. But the Belgrade champion doesn&#8217t agree at all and is ready to try it in the coming season in order to get to the longed-for 25th career Slam: “I am taking a short break and trying to rebuild my car, to put it in Formula 1 terms” said Nole on the sidelines of the Qatar GP.

“In the last 18 months I have been injured more often than when I was healthy, so I am trying to rebuild my body so that the start of next season will be great. I hope to be able to compete with the best”. Djokovic, who was present in the circus in Lusail, expressed admiration for the Formula 1 drivers: “I know well the tough challenges and when everything is decided until the final finish line. Seeing these guys perform on the highest stage is a privilege-I was impressed and shocked by the amount of distractions surrounding the drivers, so they have to keep their routine and simplify things to perform at their best”.

Martino Davidi

Djokovic in a recent interview set his season&#8217s goal: “Throughout my career I have given myself specific goals, working on how to achieve them. I have achieved virtually all of them, but I want to keep playing. I have already talked about my intention to play in the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028, finishing there representing Serbia would be nice. Clearly, at this point in my career there are conditions that I don’t have completely under control. To get to that point I have to continue to preserve myself physically”. Djokovic’s interview with Piers Morgan had been controversial for some statements about Sinner.

“The Clostebol case is a cloud that will follow him forever, just like the anti-Covid vaccine talk will follow me”, the Serbian player had said. Djokovic has not beaten Sinner since the 2023 ATP Finals, more than two years ago.