Novak Djokovic Once Again Opens up on Retirement Plans After Making the US Open Round of 16

Novak Djokovic has improved on his US Open result from the previous year.

Novak Djokovic Once Again Opens up on Retirement Plans After Making the US Open Round of 16

Novak Djokovic (image via ATP)

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Novak Djokovic has once again shared his retirement plans. The Serbian has made it to the second week of the US Open once again, but he believes that the two decades of his illustrious tennis career has finally started to take its toll.

Despite struggling with injuries in his first three rounds, Djokovic claims that he still has the desire to compete with the best tennis players. The 24-time Grand Slam champion claims that he wants to extend his schedule by preferring the Grand Slams. Djokovic said in the US Open press conference:

I think I was quite honest in the press conference after the Wimbledon semifinals, I gave some clues about what’s on my mind. I mean, of course, now I ask myself more questions than ever about how long I want to continue at this level and how I want to approach my schedule to extend my career because I really want to keep playing. I still enjoy competing; I can be very demanding of myself and my team, I know that, but I still feel that I have game left, you know, to play at the highest level.

Djokovic is seeking a 25th Grand Slam title at the US Open, which will move him clear of Margaret Court. He has made it to the semifinals of the first three Grand Slams this year, but lost to Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner, respectively. He added:

There is also an internal debate within me, but I try to focus my thoughts and attention on this very present moment of what needs to be done, so I keep competing, and I might get a little more philosophical when the tournament ends, but I will try to focus on the next challenge here.

He has come into the US Open without playing any matches since Wimbledon. He lost in the semifinals of SW19 in straight sets to Sinner.

Novak Djokovic secures Round of 16 birth at the US Open

Former World No.1 Novak Djokovic says his tennis is still strong enough to chase a 25th Grand Slam trophy. What he now needs is for his body to keep pace. The 38-year-old showed resilience on Friday night, overcoming back pain to defeat Britain’s Cam Norrie at the US Open.

Novak Djokovic (via X/The Tennis Letter)
Novak Djokovic (via X/The Tennis Letter)

With the win, Djokovic became the oldest man to reach the fourth round in New York since Jimmy Connors did so in 1991. He prevailed 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-3, striking 18 aces in what he called his best serving display of the tournament.

This run has not come without setbacks. Djokovic needed treatment for a blister on his toe in the first round, and later for a back issue during his third-round battle. Against Norrie, he required medical attention late in the opening set but managed to recover.

The 24-time major winner avoided what could have been one of his earliest exits at Flushing Meadows. Instead, he advanced to the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the 69th time, equaling Roger Federer’s record. His next challenge will be German qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff.

Novak Djokovic makes another incredible feat at the US Open

At the 2025 US Open, it is the veterans who are stealing the spotlight. For the first time in more than 40 years, three men aged 35 or older have advanced to the Round of 16. Novak Djokovic, Adrian Mannarino, and Jan-Lennard Struff have each endured the demands of the first week, showing that experience and resilience can still rival youthful energy on the sport’s biggest stage.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (Image via X/SK)

The last time this occurred was in 1982, when Jaime Fillol, Robert Lutz, and Ilie Nastase all reached the second week in New York. That was a very different era of tennis, built around flatter hitting and shorter rallies. Today, the trio of Djokovic, Mannarino, and Struff are proving that longevity and tactical awareness remain valuable assets in the modern game.

Djokovic, the most anticipated of the three, has played through blisters and back issues but continues to lift his level each round. Against Cam Norrie, he delivered 18 aces and allowed just one break point. Now 38, every Slam feels like another chance to secure a record 25th major, and he appears determined to chase it with full effort.

Mannarino and Struff have also carved out their own stories. Mannarino reached the second week at Flushing Meadows for the first time, capitalizing on a mid-match retirement but also turning around a season that once seemed lost.

Struff, who fell outside the top 100 earlier this year, has reignited his career with strong wins over Holger Rune and Frances Tiafoe. He now faces Djokovic in a rare all-35+ showdown, a match he will approach with nothing to lose.

Also Read: Carlos Alcaraz Admits He Was Afraid of Press Conferences Due to His English: “I was Just Coming Here Sweating”