The 24-time Major champion looked in good shape to win number 25, advancing through to the Roland Garros quarterfinals without dropping a set.
There, Djokovic beat Alexander Zverev to set up an intriguing semi-final clash with the world number one.
Alexander Zverev of Germany embraces Novak Djokovic of Serbia following the Men’s Singles Quarter Final match on Day Eleven of the 2025 French Open at Roland Garros.
Coming up short against the Italian, Djokovic lost to Jannik Sinner, 4-6, 5-7, 6-7, suffering his first defeat in Paris since 2022.
Reacting to the 38-year-old’s latest Grand Slam exit, a former ATP star claims there is now only one way Djokovic can win another Major title.
Sam Querrey says Novak Djokovic can win another Major if he avoids Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner
During the latest edition of the Nothing Major podcast, former Wimbledon semi-finalist Sam Querrey laid out the path to Grand Slam success for Djokovic.
“I don’t think Novak [Djokovic] can win a Major if he has to beat Carlos [Alcaraz] and [Jannik] Sinner,” said Querrey.
“I think he has a better chance against Carlos because Carlos can play some erratic sets.
“I think he could still win a Slam, Novak. Only if Sinner and Alcaraz get upset along the way and he has to beat one of them.
“He needs one of them to get upset by someone, if that can happen. I don’t know if it even can.”
Novak Djokovic reacts during his win over Alexander Zverev at the 2025 French Open
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Querrey’s co-host Jack Sock weighed in with his thoughts, previewing the Serb’s chances at Wimbledon.
“I am excited to see Novak at Wimbledon because it’s on grass and I think his game and his age, the points are going to be shorter and he will be able to do a bit more damage from the baseline,” he said.
“On clay, he is running because these guys are so good, and they are just a better version of him today, obviously not in the past.
“But I think Wimbledon will tell a lot, to be honest. I think we will see Novak at Wimbledon and gauge his Slam chances from there on out because these guys are so good now.”
Novak Djokovic’s record against Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner at Grand Slams
Querrey doesn’t seem to think Djokovic has what it takes to beat Alcaraz and Sinner at the Major tournaments, but do the stats back that up?
Djokovic is 4-4 against the pair at the Grand Slam events, although in Querrey’s defence, the tide does seem to be turning.
Match Winner Loser Score
2025 French Open – SF Jannik Sinner Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-5, 7-6
2025 Australian Open – QF Novak Djokovic Carlos Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4
2024 Wimbledon – F Carlos Alcaraz Novak Djokovic 6-2, 6-2, 7-6
2024 Australian Open – SF Jannik Sinner Novak Djokovic 6-1, 6-2, 6-7, 6-3
2023 Wimbledon – F Carlos Alcaraz Novak Djokovic 1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4
2023 Wimbledon – SF Novak Djokovic Jannik Sinner 6-3, 6-4, 7-6
2023 French Open – SF Novak Djokovic Carlos Alcaraz 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1
2022 Wimbledon – QF Novak Djokovic Jannik Sinner 5-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2
Novak Djokovic’s record against Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner at Grand Slams
The Serb has lost four of his last five Grand Slam matches against the world number one and two.
It would, however, be unfair not to mention Djokovic’s stunning victory over Alcaraz at the Australian Open earlier this year, battling through injury to beat the youngster in four sets.
Querrey suggested Djokovic may need Alcaraz or Sinner to be upset in the earlier rounds if he is to win a 25th Slam, but the American will know as well as anyone else that relying on that happening would be unwise.
For years, Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray dominated Grand Slam events.
Anyone having a strong tournament knew they would have to play one of the greats before too long, bringing an end to their title hopes.
Between 2006 and 2021, just nine players won Grand Slam titles in the men’s game, as the ‘big three’ or ‘big four/five’ racked up the wins.
Novak Djokovic
Rafael Nadal
Roger Federer
Andy Murray
Stan Wawrinka
Juan Martin del Potro
Marin Cilic
Dominic Thiem
Daniil Medvedev
Unfortunately for Djokovic, it seems like Alcaraz and Sinner have picked up where he, Nadal, and Federer left off, sharing the last five (soon to be six) Grand Slams between them.
Grand Slam Winner Losing finalist Score
2025 French Open Carlos Alcaraz/Jannik Sinner Carlos Alcaraz/Jannik Sinner TBD
2025 Australian Open Jannik Sinner Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6, 6-3
2024 US Open Jannik Sinner Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-5
2024 Wimbledon Carlos Alcaraz Novak Djokovic 6-2, 6-2, 7-6
2024 French Open Carlos Alcaraz Alexander Zverev 6-3, 2-6, 7-5, 6-1, 6-2
2024 Australian Open Jannik Sinner Daniil Medvedev 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s Grand Slam dominance
Only time will tell if Djokovic can snap Alcaraz and Sinner’s streak of Grand Slam wins and clinch a record-extending 25th Major title.
He’ll have a chance to do just that at Wimbledon, when the tournament begins on June 30.
