(VIDEO) "They are extra motivated": Novak Djokovic assesses next generation after defeat to Jannik Sinner at 2023 ATP Finals

Novak Djokovic made an honest assessment of the next generation in the sport - Carlos Alcaraz, Holger Rune, and Jannik Sinner - after his defeat to the latter at the 2023 ATP Finals.

World No. 1 Djokovic built up a 19-match winning streak over the summer and autumn, which included his 24th Grand Slam title and consolidating his place as year-end No. 1 for the eighth year in a row. Moreover, he was in a strong position heading into the 2023 Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, having just won his 40th ATP Masters 1000 title in Paris.

Djokovic won his opening Group Stage clash against Rune, although it was a close three-set battle, with two out of three sets going to a tiebreak. However, the 36-year-old ended up suffering only his sixth defeat of the 2023 season against home player Sinner in his second Green Group encounter.

After the tight match, which saw Sinner win 7-5, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (2), Djokovic revealed his thoughts on the next generation of the sport, which many fans consider to be spearheaded by Alcaraz, Rune, and Sinner: "It seems like Holger Rune, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are extra motivated when they play you. I think it’s normal, they want to get to where I got to," he said.

"They want to take the scalp. Jannik did that tonight. It’s normal to lose some of the matches like this, but I have to be content with the fight, the fighting spirit. I managed to make a comeback from a set down, a break down in the third set, playing in really challenging and difficult conditions on the court today. I’m proud of the fight that I put in. It just wasn’t enough for the win," he continued.

This match marked the first time that Djokovic was defeated by the Italian player, putting their head-to-head at 3-1. The Serbian player's last match loss prior to his winning streak was in the final of Wimbledon, where he lost to Alcaraz in a five-set thriller, while Rune got the better of him at the Italian Open earlier this year.

Djokovic also reflected more on his own performance in the match against Sinner and praised the 22-year-old for getting the win: "Last time we were in the semi-finals at Wimbledon, I won in three sets but it was hard fought. A few points made the difference.

"I think on that occasion, he played like today, but this time perhaps he served better and was more courageous on the important points. He deserved to win because on the important points, I gave him the opportunity to take control of the points. I was in the exchange and I should have put my foot down. I didn’t and he did. He absolutely deserved to win.

"In this type of match, there are few opportunities. If you don’t take them, the other will. In certain moments I have to be more decisive. But that’s okay, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. Most of the time I’ve won games like this. I don’t think I did too many things wrong. He was simply brave when he had to be," he said.