Novak Djokovic conceded that he has been given "a slap from reality in the last couple of years" after suffering multiple injuries in the twilight years of his career. 

Djokovic holds the record for the most grand slams at ATP level, triumphing in 24 different majors, two more than second-placed Rafael Nadal and four clear of Roger Federer. 

During the 2023 season – when Djokovic celebrated his 36th birthday – he made all four grand slam finals and landed three titles, including a 10th Australian Open crown. 

He was only beaten two years ago by Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final, and since then, he has been unable to extend his major record after dealing with several issues. 

Djokovic's quest has not been helped by the emergence of Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who have split the last eight grand slams between them since the start of 2024.

In 2025, the Serbian reached the Australian Open semi-final before retiring against Alexander Zverev with a hamstring injury, a familiar theme at majors for Djokovic this year. 

He was dealing with a leg injury in his semi-final defeat to Sinner at Wimbledon, and lost in the final four at the US Open to Alcaraz after struggling with a back injury. 

"I believe that to some extent I am the superman who can never injure myself, that I can never be weak," Djokovic said in an interview with Piers Morgan.

"But I got a slap from reality in the last couple of years. I'm just getting to know this new chapter."

Djokovic recently pulled out of the Paris Masters, while an injury against Valentin Vacherot at the earlier Shanghai Masters only added to his woes. 

The 38-year-old also qualified for the season-ending ATP Finals as the third-best player behind Alcaraz and Sinner, but withdrew with injury and was replaced by Lorenzo Musetti, whom he beat in Athens just a day earlier for his 101st ATP title. 

Djokovic has a record of 5-4 against Alcaraz and has lost six of his 10 all-time meetings with Sinner, and while he feels he can still compete with the pair, he admitted that the top two players currently in the world are on a different level. 

"I'm aware that [comparing] my best level now and their best level now, they're better. That's the reality," Djokovic said of the pair.

"I have always believed in things that are almost impossible to achieve. I do have doubts that I can win Slams against these two guys.

"But when I enter the court, I don't care who's across the net. I always believe I'm better, and I deserve to win."