Novak Djokovic makes strong Sinner and Alcaraz statement after skipping tournament

is back in action this week after for the first time in his career. It's been a tough clay swing for the world No. 6, who has yet to win a match on the surface after suffering opening-round defeats in Monte-Carlo and Madrid.

In his absence in Rome, fans were treated to the biggest meeting so far between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in the final, and even Djokovic tuned in for a few games. After watching Alcaraz seal a 7-6(5) 6-1 victory, the 24-time Grand Slam champion conceded to his younger rivals as he made a big claim about their status in the sport.

Sinner and Alcaraz had never met in a Masters 1000 final until recently. The pair have always had near-misses at top tournaments - either falling in the same half of the draw so they could only meet in the semis, or failing to both make it to the championship match.

But, in Sinner's first tournament back following a three-month suspension, the tennis world witnessed their first big final as they faced off on Sunday with the Italian Open trophy on the line.

Alcaraz saved two set points while serving at 5-6 down and then took it in a tiebreak before racing through the second set to claim the title. The match caught Djokovic's attention, and the six-time champion in Rome believes their rivalry is now the biggest in the sport.

"I saw the end of the first set, just those few games, I think they played at a high level," he told .

"They are now the leaders of our sport, their rivalry is currently the biggest and it is good for our sport, that we have new young tennis players."

Djokovic was once the most dominant force, collecting trophies on the regular and forming fierce rivalries with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. But he believes the new generation have now taken over.

"I am glad that this is the case, in the last 20 years there has been such excitement around the Big Four. There is also [Alexander] Zverev, we must not forget him," he added.

"It was nice to see how they compete. Alcaraz broke through by winning the first set, Sinner at the beginning of the second gave way."

Djokovic will be keen to get his hands on another trophy this week. After going 0-2 in his first two clay events of the year and pulling out of the Italian Open, he made a late decision to enter the ATP 250 event in Geneva.

The world No. 6 is hunting his milestone 100th title and he faces Marton Fucsovics in his opening match on Wednesday.

Djokovic also entered the tournament last year and reached the semi-final before losing to Tomas Machac.