By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, October 8, 2026
Photo credit: Riyadh Season/Netflix
Attention to minute detail has helped Novak Djokovic clock advancing age as if crushing a return winner.
The 39-year-old Grand Slam king says seeing the big picture is vital to Jannik Sinner’s eventual return to the pro circuit.
Asked to assess Sinner’s season-ending right knee injury and the challenge of coming back from such a setback, Djokovic said Sinner’s absence a loss for the sport.
Former world No. 1 Djokovic said he hasn’t spoken to Sinner directly since the two-time Wimbledon champion pulled the plug on his season but shared it’s vital for champions to consider long-term impact prior to launching a comeback.
“I’m sure that he with his team is making wise choices,” Djokovic told the media in Shanghai at his Rolex Shanghai Masters presser. “And, you know, he’s been the best player in the world, and he’s been a dominant force for the last couple of years, along with Carlos, for sure the tennis misses him.
“But at the same time, he has to think long-term. And this is what I think I saw that he said, that he’s thinking long-term.
“That’s smart because, you know, as someone that is, that was always advised and always tried to have the big picture in my mind, I really support that kind of thinking and mindset. It’s important that you give yourself more years to your career, so you have more chances to accomplish all of your objectives.”
Fresh off conquering three Top 10 opponents in succession—US Open champion Alexander Zverev, former No. 1 Daniil Medvedev and Aussie Alex de Minaur—in a rousing run to capture his 102nd career championship in Beijing, Djokovic said a long-term mindset is crucial to sustain major success.
Reflecting on undergoing right elbow surgery that sidelined him for six months during the 2017 season, Djokovic said coming back after an extended absence requires positive mind-set and a belief in your body.
“And if you’re away from the tour for so long, to make a comeback, you have to deal with more things than you normally have to deal with,” Djokovic told the media in Shanghai today. “Particularly mentally, on the mental side.
“Of course, physically, if you’re ready, you’re ready. You’re evaluating that with your team constantly, and you then come back to play at the highest level when you get the green light to be able to compete.
“But then it’s mental. You know, you’re on the court and you’re thinking, you know, am I really completely healed and free to make this run. I mean, for him, if it’s a knee, obviously it’s affecting everything. It’s affecting every single movement.”
The 25-year-old Sinner and 39-year-old Djokovic battled it out at the Australian and Wimbledon earlier this season.
Then 10-time Australian Open champion Djokovic turned back time on Rod Laver Arena in January dethroning two-time defending-champion Sinner 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to set up an AO final vs. Carlos Alcaraz.
UNBELIEVABLE ‼️ Novak Djokovic will face Carlos Alcaraz in the #AO26 Final after playing out this EPIC with Jannik Sinner @wwos • @espn • @tntsports • @wowowtennis • #AO26 https://t.co/DLUdQdtFmd
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 30, 2026
“I’m at a loss for words right now,” an emotional Djokovic told the crowd as they chanted, “Nole! Nole!”
In July, Sinner dispensed a straight-sets thrashing, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4, denying Djokovic’s bid for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam crown at Wimbledon.
Flawless from Jannik Sinner. What a performance. https://t.co/0LijKmAjUd
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 10, 2026
Sinner, who became the third active man to reach back-to-back Wimbledon finals, went on to defeat Alexander Zverev in the final to successfully defend Wimbledon.
0 comments