The coach of Novak Djokovic, Goran Ivanisevic, believes that Jannik Sinner is the only threat to Carlos Alcaraz at the 2023 US Open along with the Serb.
Djokovic will be making a return to the US Open this year after not being able to play for a few years. The Serbian last played in 2021 when he lost to Daniil Medvedev in the final, and he will be returning with revenge on his mind this year, especially after letting Wimbledon slip through his fingers, but there will be one man standing in his way.
In his absence, Alcaraz lifted the trophy, and he'll be the defending champion. Djokovic would certainly enjoy a chance to dethrone him, and in Ivanisevic's mind, it's another youngster, Jannik Sinner, that is the biggest threat to the Spaniard, along with Djokovic.
The generational change takes six or seven years. I know we look at Medvedev, Rublev, Khachanov, Shapovalov, Felix, Sinner, Alcaraz, Rune… Alcaraz has been here for two years, but let's say Medvedev has been here for five or six, he's 27 years old. They are not from yesterday. Alcaraz is a story in itself and Sinner is the only one who can threaten him at the US Open along with Novak.
Sinner's game bothers Alcaraz and they've had some very interesting encounters so far. Also, if Medvedev's day coincides and he plays, for me he is also a phenomenal player. Novak is the only dinosaur among the best, the rest are all young.
Unlike Djokovic, Alcaraz played at the Hopman Cup after Wimbledon but has since been on vacation. Djokovic won't play until the Cincinnati Masters as he'll be missing the Canadian Open due to begin on August 7th.
It was an interesting choice for the Serbian who opted for double duty in Cincinnati by signing up for the doubles. He doesn't need much prep, and he wants to peak at the US Open. It's all pretty standard for him by now.