Novak Djokovic ‘a different player’ after Carlos Alcaraz heartache as Serb sends message | Tennis | Sport

Novak Djokovic has returned to competition in Indian Wells, his first tournament since he came painstakingly close to winning a record 25th Grand Slam title. Djokovic reached his first Major final in 18 months at the Australian Open and took the first set over Carlos Alcaraz before suffering a 2-6 6-2 6-3 7-5 defeat to the Spaniard. It was still a strong tournament for the 38-year-old, who took out two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner in a gruelling, five-set semi-final.

Now back at a regular ATP Tour event for the first time since early November, Djokovic has explained just how special that Australian Open run was, as he admitted he was a “different player” when it came to the four Grand Slam tournaments.

“I had a very good off-season block of preparing my body, my mental side, and really doing everything I possibly can in order to build so that I could arrive to Melbourne at 100 per cent, whatever 100 per cent is for me at the moment. I haven’t been able to win against Alcaraz and Sinner in Grand Slams in ‘25, but I reached semis of every Grand Slam and then lost to them, so it was quite a great experience for me to beat Jannik in five sets and be part of one of the most remarkable matches I was part of, really honestly, particularly lately in any Grand Slam,” Djokovic told ATP Media.

“And then [to] play another close match with Carlos, who was just too good in the end. But overall, amazing start of the year, finals of Australian Open with not many tournaments at all, but I think it’s also Grand Slams that really evoke this kind of motivation for me.”

Djokovic will turn 39 this year, but over the past year, he’s still been the third-best player at the Majors behind Alcaraz and Sinner. And after getting a big win over the world No. 2 in Melbourne, he still believes he can go toe-to-toe with anyone over the lengthy, best-of-five set format.

He added: “It’s like when I walk out in Grand Slams, I’m kind of like a different player, to be honest. I prepare myself better than any other tournament. I love playing also best of five, even though things are different physically nowadays, but still, I feel like I’m comfortable going the distance with whoever. It was great.”

Djokovic will now have to return to best-of-three-set matches in Indian Wells. The world No. 3 is a five-time former champion in the Californian desert, but he’s not even made it to the quarter-finals since his last title win here in 2016.

“I’m proud, of course I am. I’m putting in a lot of effort and time into trying to maintain my body and obviously still have that motivation to compete at the highest level. Indian Wells has always been one of the favourite tournaments, favourite locations to come to, for me and I think for many other players,” the third seed said.

“‘Tennis Paradise’, deservedly named that way, we see why. People are so respectful and passionate about tennis here, and you can feel that at every step, whether it’s practice courts, whether you’re playing. And that’s the kind of spirit that gets you going. There’s always a group of tournaments that are your favourite ones, and for me, definitely Indian Wells is one of them.

“So happy to be here, 20 years [since my debut], yes! 10 years since my last title here in 2016. I had some great, great years, as one of the most successful tournaments I had in the first 10 years of my career. The last 10 years, I haven’t had a great result but I keep on coming back and trying it once more.”

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