‘Novak Djokovic’s era is not over’ – Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner sent warning by Wimbledon winner

Novak Djokovic v Jannik Sinner v Carlos Alcaraz

Marion Bartoli has proclaimed that the end of Novak Djokovic’s era has not yet arrived as she highlighted what separates the Serbian from his young rivals.

The 2013 Wimbledon champion pointed out the fact Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner both cramped during their French Open semi-final match and questioned how often this has happened to Djokovic in a big match.

Djokovic lost the ATP world No 1 ranking to Sinner after the 2024 French Open, having been forced to pull out of Roland Garros due to a medial meniscus injury.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion, who withdrew before his quarter-final clash with Casper Ruud, underwent surgery on his right knee in Paris.

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Alcaraz overcame Sinner in a five-set semi-final at the French Open, before defeating Alexander Zverev in a five-set championship match to claim his third Grand Slam title. The 21-year-old Spaniard came from two sets to one down in both matches.

Djokovic’s injury blow has cast doubt over his hopes of competing at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, which will get underway on July 1. The Serbian is a seven-time champion at the All England Club and is one triumph away from equalling Roger Federer’s record.

The 37-year-old also faces a race to be fit for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, where the tennis event will begin on July 27. An Olympic gold medal is the only significant prize missing from Djokovic’s unrivalled trophy collection.

Bartoli took issue with the notion that Djokovic’s time at the top of the sport might be over as she identified some flaws in his competitors.

“When we see the Roland Garros final between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, who are obviously very great champions, and the number of unforced errors that they still commit, the cramps of Alcaraz and Sinner in the semi‐finals,” the former world No 7 told RMC Sport.

“Tell me the number of times Djokovic cramped in finals against [Roger] Federer or [Rafael] Nadal that lasted more than five hours?

“The number of mistakes made by these players in the finals of Grand Slam tournaments where the level is higher… This is not at all the end of the Novak Djokovic era.”

Djokovic raised hope that he could return from injury sooner than anticipated by sharing a video of him training in the gym last week — just over a week after his surgery.

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