Novak Djokovic has faced a challenging year in tennis, marked by a series of notable defeats in major tournaments. The 24-time Grand Slam champion, who typically sets the highest standards for himself, has not secured a title in any of the four major competitions this season.
His journey began with a semi-final exit at the Australian Open, where he was defeated by Jannik Sinner. This was followed by a surprising quarter-final walkover against Casper Ruud at the French Open. Djokovic then lost a closely contested final at Wimbledon to Carlos Alcaraz, and his campaign at the US Open ended abruptly with a third-round loss to Alexei Popyrin.
Despite these setbacks, Djokovic achieved a significant milestone by winning a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, defeating Alcaraz in the finals. This victory added to his previous Olympic bronze medal from Beijing in 2008, showcasing his enduring prowess on the court.
In light of his recent performances, Brad Gilbert, Djokovic's former coach, has remarked on the rising competition in tennis, suggesting that Djokovic may face increasing challenges from a new generation of players eager to claim their place in the sport.