Novak Djokovic fires back at 'disrespectful' question about chasing rivals

Novak Djokovic pushed back hard against a reporter’s suggestion that he is 'chasing' younger rivals like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. The Serbian star, fresh off a Wimbledon semifinal loss to Sinner on 13 July 2026, dismissed the idea as 'disrespectful,' pointing to his 24 Grand Slam titles and a decade-and-a-half of dominance.

Djokovic called out the reporter for ignoring his 15-year stretch as the sport’s top player. 'I’m chasing Jannik and Carlos? In what sense?' he asked. 'I’m always the chaser and never been chased?' He emphasized his record, including 24 majors, as proof that he has long been the one setting the standard.

The reporter tried to clarify, noting Djokovic’s success, but the 39-year-old wasn’t having it. 'I find it a little bit disrespectful that you kind of missed out on what happened in between,' he said. 'There was probably about a 15-year period in between where I was dominating the Grand Slams.'

Djokovic made clear he sees his career as its own story, not a reaction to others. 'I don’t think I’m chasing anyone,' he said. 'I’m creating my own history.' While he acknowledged Sinner and Alcaraz are currently the best, he insisted he won’t surrender without a fight.

'I’m going to fight to the last shot, to the last point,' he vowed. 'Does that mean I walk out with a white flag? No.'

Despite the loss, Djokovic remains defiant. He praised Sinner and Alcaraz but refused to frame his career as a chase. 'Rafa and Roger will always be my greatest rivals,' he said, referencing Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. 'I have tremendous respect for what Jannik and Carlos are doing.'

Djokovic’s next challenge will be to prove he can still compete at the highest level, even as younger stars rise. His response to the reporter’s question shows he’s not ready to be counted out just yet.