Aleksandar Kovacevic confirms Novak Djokovic still has "the locker room aura," and admits that just seeing Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner can feel a bit intimidating.
2025 was the first season since 2017 in which Djokovic didn't reach a single Grand Slam final. Also, the 38-year-old has gone two full years without winning a Major.
At his peak, Djokovic had an intimidating factor and several players admitted in the past to thinking about the Serb's records before meeting him in a match. But now, Alcaraz and Sinner are the two dominant forces on the Tour and have clearly separated themselves from the rest. With that being said, some wonder if the record 24-time Grand Slam champion lost his aura.
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Kovacevic, who won two Challenger titles this year and finished the season enjoying a career-high ranking of No. 57 in the world, says Djokovic's presence is definitely felt when he enters the room.
Kovacevic: Djokovic's has still got it because of his GOAT status
"In terms of locker room aura, Novaks still got it because of the greatest of all time thing. Sinner and Alcaraz have a little bit of that where its like,' Oh s----' when they walk in the room, otherwise no-one really cares man. Were just like clocking into a job and its the same guys like every week," Kovacevic said on The Changeover Podcast.
Sure there might be a new guy on the scene that like just came up and a lot of times those are the guys that are trying to look like, Oh, Im the man and its like settle down, you know what I mean like, you dont even know what youre in for, youre going to be with us for the next two, three years. Theres a lot of good, talented players, but trying to act tough and stuff its like a lot of energy for nothing really."
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Kovacevic, 27, has played against Djokovic once - the former world No. 1 beat him in straight sets in the 2023 French Open first round.
Kovacevic has yet to face either Alcaraz or Sinner in a Tour match.
