Former Grand Slam Finalist Gives His Take on When Novak Djokovic Should Retire
Novak Djokovic played the semifinals of all four Grand Slam events this year, losing twice to Jannik Sinner and once to Carlos Alcaraz.
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Novak Djokovic (Image via X/Wolfy)
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When should Novak Djokovic call time on his career? Of course, it will be up to the Serb to make decisions regarding his retirements, but the tennis world will continue to discuss it, given that Djokovic has reached the twilight of his career.
Djokovic has made it clear that he will be bidding for his 25th Grand Slam title next year as well. Serena Williams‘ former coach, Rennae Stubbs, thinks Djokovic should hang up his racket at the Australian Open, as it’s here that he has won the most Majors (10).
But Djokovic dreams of retiring at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Echoing similar sentiments, former Grand Slam finalist Greg Rusedski thinks Djokovic should continue playing until he no longer enjoys playing.
You know it’s time to retire when you are not enjoying it anymore. He is still the third-best player in the world, even though the rankings don’t say so.
Greg Rusedski said during an interview with Tennis365
But the biggest hurdles on his path to his historic 25th Major are two youngsters – Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. The World No.1 and the World No.2 have been dominating on the men’s tour since 2024, winning a combined eight Majors, with Djokovic being the last player other than them to lift a Grand Slam title (2023 US Open by defeating Daniil Medvedev).
Can he beat Alcaraz and Sinner in three out of five sets back to back? Possibly not. Maybe at Wimbledon, but if he is still enjoying the challenge, why not try to stay out there? The biggest disappointment for Novak last year was when he beat Alcaraz at the Australian Open, and then he had to pull out of the semi-final against Alexander Zverev with an injury. If he gets into the final in a one-off match against Sinner, anything can happen.
Greg Rusedski added
This year, an injury stopped Djokovic’s run at the Australian Open after he reached the semifinals. Sinner knocked him out in the semifinals of the French Open and Wimbledon. Alcaraz stopped his US Open progression by defeating him in the semifinals.
Djokovic ended his season after lifting the Hellenic Championship by beating Lorenzo Musetti. The 38-year-old became the third man in the Open Era to win 100 or more titles, following Roger Federer and Jimmy Connors, when he went past Hubert Hurkacz in the Geneva Open final. Apart from the two ATP 250s, Djokovic also reached the Miami Open final but failed to beat Jakub Mensik.
Toni Nadal compares Carlos Alcaraz’s dominance to that of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer
Toni Nadal suggested that Carlos Alcaraz is dominating because of weaker rivals. At present, only Jannik Sinner is challenging the six-time Grand Slam champion, who finished the season with eight titles from 11 finals.
Toni compared the current era to that of the Big 3, as Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal, apart from facing challenges from each other, used to face competition from Andy Murray, Juan Martin del Potro, Stan Wawrinka, and David Ferrer.
I remember perfectly that during Rafael’s era, besides Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, there were other great players like Andy Murray, Juan Martin del Potro, David Ferrer, and Stan Wawrinka, to name a few. These players were always there […] In the current circuit, it seems that the direct rivals have abandoned us.
Toni Nadal said (H/T: Punto de Break)
Many think Brazil’s Joao Fonseca would join Alcaraz and Sinner to form another Big 3. Fonseca, who clinched the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals, took home two ATP titles this year, winning the Argentina Open and the Swiss Indoors. Sinner grabbed six titles from 10 finals, the second most this year after Alcaraz.
Also read: Toni Nadal Reveals Key Difference Between the Eras of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz
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