Recently, Novak Djokovic, Sinner and Alcaraz are preparing for the 2025 Australian Open. However, Djokovic was embroiled in controversy in an interview. Ahead of the Australian Open, the 24-time Grand Slam champion appeared on the cover of GQ Sports, appearing on the boat in a sleek look with a stunning marina landscape in the background.

In the accompanying interview, Djokovic was asked to describe his rival in one word. He described Federer as "elegant", Nadal as "tenacious" and Alcaraz as "charismatic". However, when referring to Sinner, he uses the word "skiing." This answer attracted attention because of its large discrepancy from other descriptions, and was later interpreted as a disdain for Sinner.

Speaking to Serbian media at a press conference ahead of the Australian Open, Djokovic said he had seen "dramatic" readings on social media about his comments that he deliberately showed disrespect to Sinner or tried to "humiliate" him.

"Yes, I've seen people on social media hyping this up into a drama or a story, as if I humiliated him or deliberately disrespected him. This is ridiculous. It's the kind of quick question, quick answer type of interview where you need to think of a word in a second. Djokovic said.

However, the 37-year-old clarified that he came up with the word "skiing" because he and Sinner were connected by their shared interest in skiing. Djokovic also dismissed accusations that he disrespected Sinner, saying the claims were a complete misrepresentation of his own meaning and stressing that the conversation was anything but a trivial of the world number one's achievements.

"When Sinner's name was mentioned, I had an image of him skiing because I saw him skiing somewhere before. Also, the two of us talk a lot about skiing and always talk about skiing together (Djokovic grew up skiing in Kopaonik as a child). That's why I say 'skiing', not because I don't respect his achievements in tennis, quite the opposite. He explained.

"His current dominance is undeniable and deserves all the praise – both for his style of play and his level of play. He has all the qualities that the other people I mentioned (Federer, Nadal, Alcaraz) have. And now people want to say that I am disrespectful to him, which is simply nonsense. He added.

In an interview with GQ, Djokovic also said that while many believe his record will not be broken, he can imagine that Alcaraz and Sinner could potentially surpass themselves if they focus on physical fitness and maintain a good long-term career.

"It's still early. But, as you know, people always say that my record can never be broken. I have doubts about that. Alcaraz could already be the next man with potential, and even Sinner can. If they focus on physical health, do things in a proper way, and focus on long-term development, they can do it. He said.

While Djokovic is chasing his 25th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, Alcaraz is looking to complete a career Grand Slam. Sinner has also set an ambitious goal of successfully defending his Australian Open title and winning his third Grand Slam title.

In the first round of the Australian Open, Djokovic will face 19-year-old Nishesh Basavaredi; Alcaraz will play against Pouilly; Sinner's first-round opponent is Jarry.(Source: Tennis Home Author: Spark)