* Djokovic - Sinner: 8 p.m. today 11/7, on VnExpress.

"I don't want to say this, but Djokovic is at the end of his career," Kyrgios commented about the Serbian veteran in an interview with TNT Sports on 10/7. According to the former world number 13, it will be difficult for Djokovic to maintain his level in the coming period, as he has to compete with Alcaraz and Sinner.

Djokovic saves the ball in the Wimbledon quarterfinals, on Centre Court at the All England Club, London, England on 9/7. Photo: Reuters

Djokovic saves the ball in the Wimbledon quarterfinals, on Centre Court at the All England Club, London, England on 9/7. Photo: Reuters

Kyrgios assessed that Djokovic "is still a great player", but the game now belongs to Alcaraz and Sinner. The new pair of rivals could dominate major tournaments for the next 10-15 years.

"Everyone has felt the departure of Federer and Nadal," Kyrgios added. "Djokovic won't be playing for much longer either. At Roland Garros, Alcaraz and Sinner put on an incredible final. It was perhaps one of the highest quality matches in history. We will enjoy the new journey of this duo."

Djokovic will face Sinner in the Wimbledon semifinals today, 11/7, a rematch of their Roland Garros semifinal last month. Djokovic has lost his last four encounters against the younger Italian and lost to Alcaraz in two consecutive Wimbledon finals. The 38-year-old hasn't won a Grand Slam since the 2023 US Open and had to wait a year and a half to quench his thirst for an ATP Tour title last May.

"It's a physical race now, and things are very difficult for Djokovic," Kyrgios added. According to the Australian, the "Big 3" competed in a different era of tennis, where technique and artistry were emphasized. Meanwhile, today's tennis is more physically demanding, with faster ball speeds and courts, and better player fitness.

Despite the 10 or 15-year age difference, Djokovic has still gone deep in three Grand Slams since the beginning of the year. He has only been stopped by injury, or Sinner and Alcaraz. The rest of the tennis world hasn't been able to defeat Djokovic in the earlier rounds. However, Kyrgios doesn't think Djokovic can create a "tripod" in the current context.

"I'll be very sad if Djokovic retires," Kyrgios expressed. "But it's sport and let's enjoy the rest of his career."

Kyrgios has been close to Djokovic since the Serbian player was expelled from the Australian Open in 2022 for refusing the Covid-19 vaccine. Since then, Kyrgios has often defended and sided with Djokovic. Last March, he signed the Professional Tennis Players Association's (PTPA) lawsuit against the ATP, founded by Djokovic.

Vy Anh