Becker: Sinner is like a 2.0 version of Djokovic, while peak Alcaraz is even stronger, making the chances of his 25th title very slim.

In a recent podcast episode, German tennis legend Becker talked about his former disciple, Djokovic. He bluntly pointed out that the Serbian is confronting a tough reality, with the powerful emergence of Sinner and Alcaraz reducing his likelihood of achieving a 25th Grand Slam title.

Becker reflected on this year's Wimbledon semifinals, saying, "Novak played well in the first two sets against Sinner, but Sinner was clearly superior, as he is essentially a 15-year-younger version of Djokovic. Novak is well aware of this." The German icon incisively remarked. However, he then shifted his tone, saying, "I'm glad he made it to the semifinals and performed remarkably. But is that enough for him? He is still competing for that 25th Grand Slam to become the record holder."

Becker analyzed the two leading figures in men's tennis today, stating, "It must be acknowledged that when Sinner and Alcaraz are in top form, they are even stronger than peak Djokovic. This frustrates him." When discussing Djokovic's chances of winning a 25th title, the German legend noted, "Now, if he wants to win, he will likely have to defeat at least one of them. The situation at Wimbledon was exactly that, and he had previously stated that this tournament was his best opportunity. But he must face the reality: a 38-year-old body is more prone to injuries."

These remarks sparked heated discussions in the media. "At 38, his mobility and reaction time can't compare to his younger days, and Sinner's defense makes Djokovic feel like he's playing against himself. For him, it might just be a powerless sigh now," one netizen analyzed.

However, some netizens questioned whether Becker's comments were intentionally flattering or condescending. "He did the same with Zverev before, and now with Sinner. But the crux of the matter is that there is no comparison between Sinner and Djokovic; his words are filled with flattery and are not objective!" someone remarked.

In fact, Becker's statements are not entirely unfounded. In this year's first three Grand Slam tournaments, Djokovic faced either Alcaraz or Sinner each time, suffering consecutive defeats to Sinner in the French Open and Wimbledon semifinals. Notably, in these three Grand Slam campaigns, he encountered serious injuries twice, highlighting the difficulties faced by veterans.

Regarding the harsh reality of Djokovic's pursuit of a 25th Grand Slam title, the Serbian himself is deeply aware of it. After the Wimbledon semifinals, the 38-year-old Serbian king admitted, "Injuries significantly impacted my performance today! But this is all about age; the inevitable wear and tear on my body."

"I entered today's match like a car with half a tank of gas." Facing reporters, Djokovic pinpointed the core issue troubling him: "Playing a best-of-five match is a true test of endurance, but the longer the match goes, the worse my condition gets. Against young, healthy, and sharp players like Sinner and Alcaraz, such a state makes it impossible to win!"

In an interview, Djokovic also revealed that despite spending at least 5 hours daily on therapy, ice baths, and fascia release, and having a personal nutrition team that precisely controls every meal's micronutrients, along with years of adhering to a gluten-free diet and investing heavily in sleep capsules and aerobic recovery chambers, all of this seems dim in the face of aging.

Djokovic wryly asked the media, "I want to ask the players on the tour if anyone pays more attention to maintenance than I do? Unfortunately, I haven’t been rewarded for it."

Regarding Djokovic's future, former coach of women's tennis legend Serena Williams, Stabbs, provided a professional prediction: the 2026 Australian Open will be Djokovic's last chance to pursue his 25th title. The Australian Open, where he has won ten times, could provide the best competitive state if he avoids cumulative injuries early in the year.

However, McEnroe pointed out a crucial factor: "Can he accept that he is now a notch or two below the younger players? For a former king who once dominated the sport, this might be harder to bear than injuries."

Now, for Djokovic, the varying physical conditions and psychological challenges each day make the future seem grim. Regarding his chances of winning another Grand Slam, perhaps Becker's brutally honest conclusion is the most fitting: "He is very pragmatic."

The power of youth sweeps through the courts like a hurricane, leaving behind a figure still stumbling toward the 25th Grand Slam title. Though Djokovic's gas tank may be running low, he continues to burn fiercely against the seemingly invincible passage of time.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)