Novak Djokovic joked around after his semi-final win over Stefanos Tsitsipas counting himself among the youngsters that are rising.
This year, Djokovic has posed a significant challenge for his rivals, winning just about every competition he entered. When asked about young athletes like Alcaraz and Rune making an impact this year, he used that as a joke with reporters:
"Yes a new generation is rising. Alcaraz, Rune, myself, we are all young, all of us."
Later today, he will compete in the Paris Masters final for the eighth time against one of those rising talents, Rune. With six victories and one loss in the final, Djokovic will have a fantastic opportunity to further cement his legacy at this tournament.
"It's very sweet, obviously, when you win matches like this against one of the best players in the world," Djokovic said after the victory over Tsitsipas. "I thought I started the match very well, again, great hitting like yesterday in the quarters. I had chances early on in the second [twice at 30/30], I didn't break his serve. The momentum shifted, the crowd got into it. I think he elevated his level of tennis."
Djokovic and Rune have spent time practicing together a few times this year in Monaco and he referenced that speaking on the final: "No doubt that he's the future of the sport, along with Alcaraz and some other guys. Hopefully I can suspend his first title Masters 1000 event (smiling). We get along really well. Good friends off the court."
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