Novak Djokovic admits he received “a slap from reality” after suffering multiple injuries over the last few years and realizing that he was not unbreakable as he once believed.

During the 2023 season – when Djokovic celebrated his 36th birthday – he made all four Grand Slam finals and landed three Major titles (he was only beaten by Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon title match). That was enough for the Serbian tennis giant to improve to 24 Grand Slams and beat out Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in the Slam race. 

Since then, the 38-year-old has only made one Grand Slam – he got ousted by Alcaraz in straight sets in the 2024 Wimbledon final. 

This year, Djokovic reached the Australian Open semifinal before retiring against Alexander Zverev due to a hamstring injury. During a Wimbledon semifinal loss to Jannik Sinner, the former world No. 1 battled a leg injury. At the US Open, the Serb made another Grand Slam semifinal but lost to Alcaraz after dealing with a back injury.

“I believe that to some extent I am the superman who can never injure myself, that can never be weak. But I got a slap from reality in the last couple of years. I’m just getting to know this new chapter,” the record 24-time Grand Slam champion told Piers Morgan.

Djokovic admits Alcaraz and Sinner are ahead of him

Alcaraz and Sinner have split between them the eight Grand Slams that have taken place since 2024. And while Djokovic is still regularly making the latter stages of Majors, he doesn’t have an answer for those two when he meets them.

“I’m aware that [comparing] my best level now and their best level now, they’re better. That’s the reality. I have always believed in things that are almost impossible to achieve. I do have doubts that I can win Slams against these two guys. But when I enter the court, I don’t care who’s across the net. I always believe I’m better and I deserve to win,” the world No. 4 admitted.

Djokovic recently confirmed that he will be back for the 2026 season and try to become the first male or female player with 25 Grand Slams in tennis history.