Coco Gauff‘s former coach Brad Gilbert shared his perspective on Novak Djokovic’s main obstacle in his rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz following the 2025 French Open finals. At the tournament’s climax on the Philippe Chatrier court, the 22-year-old Alcaraz showcased remarkable resilience by defeating Jannik Sinner in three sets.

Djokovic had aimed to claim his 25th Grand Slam title at Roland Garros but was surprisingly ousted in straight sets by Jannik Sinner, marking a rare and emphatic defeat for the Serbian star. This loss allowed Sinner to advance to the finals against Alcaraz, who was defending his title. Despite dropping the first two sets, Alcaraz mounted a dramatic comeback to win the match in five sets and retain his trophy.

Gilbert, reacting to the thrilling final, remarked on the extraordinary nature of Alcaraz’s turnaround after such a difficult start.

“that might be the cruelest beat i’ve ever seen, and there have been some epic 2 sets comebacks in the finals of slams, i need a TO”

While some observers praised Alcaraz’s toughness in finals, others noted Djokovic’s own success in critical matches, such as his 2023 victory over Alcaraz at the Cincinnati finals. Gilbert acknowledged these points but emphasized that Djokovic’s advancing age would limit his ability to rival the younger Spaniard going forward.

“he definitely has , unfortunately the age gap is very difficult to overcome”

At the 2023 Cincinnati finals, Djokovic famously saved a match point before defeating Alcaraz in a gripping three-set match, underscoring his resilience and experience.

Djokovic Questions Future Participation at Roland Garros

Novak Djokovic remains the only male player to have completed a triple Career Grand Slam, earning all major titles multiple times throughout his historic career. In 2024, he secured his first men’s singles gold medal at the Paris Olympics, joining the elite group of Career Golden Slam winners.

Despite his achievements, Djokovic, now 38, faced a tough semi-final exit at the 2025 Roland Garros. Overcome with emotion while leaving the clay court, Djokovic expressed gratitude toward his supporters. Later, in an interview, he reflected on the uncertainty surrounding his participation at next year’s French Open, calling the upcoming 12-month wait a long and uncertain period.

“This could’ve been the last match ever I played here. I don’t know. That’s why it was a bit more emotional in the end. If this was the farewell match of Roland Garros for in my career, it was a wonderful one in terms of the atmosphere and what I got from the crowd.”

“I don’t know right now. 12 months at this point in my career is quite a long time. Do I wish to play more? Yes I do. But will I be able to play in 12 months time here again? I don’t know.”

Background on the Djokovic-Alcaraz Rivalry

Alcaraz’s rise in men’s tennis has been swift and notable. At just 19, he defeated the then-world No. 1 Djokovic at the 2022 Madrid Open, becoming the youngest player to beat a top-ranked opponent since 2004. Since then, Alcaraz has frequently been compared to fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal, known as the “King of Clay,” due to his skill on clay courts and competitive spirit.

Their rivalry has drawn widespread attention for the contrasting styles and legacies: Djokovic, a seasoned veteran with a record-tying number of Grand Slams, and Alcaraz, a young, explosive player quickly making his mark. However, as Brad Gilbert noted, Djokovic’s advancing age may make sustaining this rivalry at the highest level increasingly challenging.

The Future of Men’s Tennis Hinges on Emerging Generations

The recent French Open highlighted the shifting dynamics in men’s tennis, where new stars like Alcaraz are challenging established legends. Djokovic’s uncertain future participation in major tournaments adds an element of unpredictability to upcoming seasons. Whether Djokovic can continue competing with the same intensity remains a pressing question for fans and commentators alike.

As Djokovic navigates the latter stages of his career, his battles with young contenders such as Alcaraz will be closely watched for signs of how the sport’s competitive landscape might evolve. The rivalry’s potential demise due to age underscores the inevitable transition between generations in tennis.