Novak Djokovic is still short of titles this year. The former world number 1 showed good tennis in the Masters 1000 in Shanghai, but failed to win the 100th title of his legendary career after having had to surrender in the final to Jannik Sinner in two sets. The 24-time Grand Slam champion struggled especially in the first set, where he was helped by the service, but after losing the tiebreak he could not keep up with the Italian ace. The 37-year-old from Belgrade - who this summer has fulfilled his dream of winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics - has shown that he can still fight for the most prestigious titles, but Sinner and Carlitos Alcaraz are on a higher level right now.
Next year will be crucial to see if Nole can add at least one more Major to his glorious board. The Serbian ace will have to work hard during the off-season and bet especially on the Australian Open and the Wimbledon Championships, the two tournaments in which he has the best chance of winning.
Djokovic will play the 'Six Kings Slam' this week, while his schedule is uncertain until the end of the year. It is unclear whether Novak will compete in the Masters 1000 in Paris-Bercy and possibly in the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin. The feeling is that the former world number 1 is now struggling to fill the age gap between him and Sinner and Alcaraz.
Arnaud Clement warns Nole
Novak is less mobile than a few years ago and can no longer maintain the same rhythm from baseline for an extended period of time. In an interview with Eurosport, former French ace Arnaud Clement commented on Djokovics performance in the Shanghai final against Sinner: There are things they cannot do against each other. We saw few changes in the pace because there is a fear that there will be a sort of penalty if we change the pace and deliver a slightly shorter ball. There is mistrust on both sides. There is managing those important moments that Djokovic has put his opponents through so much and now he is the one who suffers them against Sinner.
Nole was on the hunt for the 100th title of his career, a milestone he will try to achieve as soon as possible. Thanks to the final reached in Shanghai, the 24-time Grand Slam champion has come close to qualifying for the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin but his presence is still uncertain.
During the press conference, Novak opened up on his schedule: "The plan is to return home, well, next week is the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia, I will play that, and from there we will see where I go next." He also praised Sinner: All around, every shot he's got in the game. He's improved his serve tremendously. I think that became a big weapon. He's just very aggressive from the baseline, as soon as he's got a shorter ball, he's taking the initiative. Just very solid from forehand and backhand, doesn't make too many mistakes, and just tries to take away the time from the opponent.
That's something that reminds me of myself throughout my career, that's what I've done for so many years consistently. Playing fast-paced tennis, taking away time from the opponent, kind of suffocating the opponent, in a certain way. You want your opponent to always feel under pressure from your shots, from your speed, from your presence on the court. So he's got that. This year he's been so consistent. It's really, really impressive.
I did my best. Under the circumstances, you know, I felt maybe not a hundred percent fresh, but at the same time big credit to Jannik for playing the big points better than me, and that's what made the difference. He deserved to win, he was just too strong in important moments.
Djokovic struggles
For the first time in years, Djokovic gave the feeling of struggling to find the right motivation in tournaments other than the Grand Slams. The former world number 1 needs to regain his energy if he wants to end his career in the best possible way and further enrich his already endless bulletin board.
Novak reiterated that he is still motivated: "My main motivation comes from the love and passion for this sport, along with the desire to keep competing. These are the types of matches and challenges I strive for, to be able to play against the best in the world on the biggest stages. That's why I work and that's why I still push myself to the limit.
