“I proved I can still beat these guys”: Novak Djokovic reflects on Sinner win and future ambitions

Novak Djokovic returns to Indian Wells this week looking to build on what he described as a strong opening to the 2026 season. The Serbian arrives at Indian Wells for his first tournament since reaching the Australian Open final earlier this year, where he defeated 2-time defending champion Jannik Sinner in a dramatic five-set semi-final before losing to Carlos Alcaraz.

Now ranked world No. 3, Djokovic continues to manage a reduced tournament schedule while maintaining his focus on the sport’s biggest stages. In recent seasons, the 24-time Grand Slam champion has increasingly structured his calendar around the majors, choosing events that still inspire him competitively and personally.

Indian Wells remains one of those tournaments. Despite more modest results at the event over the past decade, Djokovic still views the California Masters 1000 as one of the most attractive stops on the tour, citing its history, atmosphere and conditions.

He described the venue as a place players naturally look forward to returning to. “Indian Wells is one of the two Sunshine Double tournaments. I have had a fair amount of success here, and it has always been one of my favourite tournaments," the Serbian said during his press conference. "With the weather, the facilities, the location and proximity to Los Angeles, and the history of the event, it really lives up to the name. It truly is a tennis paradise.”

Djokovic’s run to the Australian Open final earlier this year served as a reminder that he remains capable of challenging the sport’s younger leaders. After a 2025 season in which he lost to either Sinner or Alcaraz at every Grand Slam, the Serbian said his performance in Melbourne helped reaffirm his belief that he can still compete at the highest level.

He described the five-set victory over Sinner as “one of the most epic matches” he has played in recent years. Even though Alcaraz eventually proved “too good in the end” in the final, Djokovic considered the overall campaign a significant positive. “It was an incredible feeling to beat Sinner in five sets in one of the most epic matches I’ve played in recent times in Australia, and then have another great match with Carlos, who was just too good in the end.”

The result, he said, reinforced his motivation to continue competing. While questions about retirement have become more frequent in recent years, Djokovic said he remains driven by the possibility of further titles and major victories. “My logic is why not keep going as long as I have that fire and flair and quality and also motivation to do that. My schedule mostly revolves around the Slams, but I pick and choose where I want to play depending on what inspires me.”

At 38, Djokovic acknowledged that maintaining physical condition has become a daily process of management rather than a fixed state of preparation. He said his preseason training provided one of the strongest foundations he has had in several years, although the length of the season inevitably brings smaller issues that must be monitored.

Even so, Djokovic reported feeling physically prepared for the Indian Wells campaign. He described the situation as “generally good,” emphasising that the challenge now lies in maintaining stability across a long schedule. “The base that I built in the preseason is very good, probably as good as it has been in the last three or four years. But the season is long and you have to adapt as you go along. There is always something you have to manage.”

Recovery, wellness and longevity have become central themes of Djokovic’s late-career approach, something he also highlighted when discussing new recovery products he recently launched as part of a partnership in the health technology sector. “That philosophy is the very reason why I’m still competing at this high level and being able to compete at the highest possible professional tennis level.”

Alongside his own ambitions, Djokovic also addressed the next wave of talent emerging on the ATP Tour. One of the players he singled out was American Learner Tien, whom he faced at the US Open last year.

Djokovic described Tien as “a very talented player,” pointing to several notable results early in his career and the presence of former Roland Garros champion Michael Chang in his coaching team. That support structure, he said, could be crucial as young players navigate the pressures of early success.

The Serbian grouped Tien alongside other young prospects such as Joao Fonseca and Jakub Mensik, players he believes represent the sport’s next competitive generation. “I think him, Fonseca and Mensik are that generation. Fonseca has received a lot of spotlight, which is nice for him, but the other guys deserve that too because of the results they’ve been producing over the last couple of years.”

Ultimately, Djokovic said the next stage of development will depend on how those players handle expectations and the demands of the professional circuit. “He has all the conditions needed to become a really good tennis player. Now it’s up to him, and time will tell.”