Pat Cash Thinks Novak Djokovic Should Retire in 2027 After Wimbledon Upset: “Play Grand Slams and Say Goodbye”

Novak Djokovic‘s Wimbledon run ended due to Jannik Sinner for the second consecutive time. In the semifinals, Djokovic was no match for the eventual champion, who clinched a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win to take his revenge for his Australian Open semifinal defeat.

Later in the final, Sinner came from a set down to overcome Alexander Zverev and defended his trophy. Sinner, who has now improved his head-to-head record over the 24-time Grand Slam champion to 7-5, defeated him in last year’s Wimbledon semifinals.

This Wimbledon was considered Djokovic’s best or last chance to end his Grand Slam title drought because he has always been consistent in this Major, having won it seven times. After winning it in 2022 by beating Nick Kyrgios, he lost the finals in the following two seasons to Carlos Alcaraz.

Following his defeat, former player Pat Cash said Djokovic should consider calling time on his career in 2027.

I’d like him to continue, I really would. Maybe he should give us a year and say, ‘I’m going to retire this year.’ He’s earned it. Most players don’t have a farewell year; they consider it tacky, but Djokovic deserves it. He should do that for 2027. Just play the four Grand Slams and say goodbye.

Pat Cash told the BBC

Djokovic is 39. And although he made the final of the Australian Open this year and once again proved why his competitors must not write him off in Majors, Cash doesn’t think Nole can win the historic 25th Grand Slam title.

Realistically, I don’t think he can win another Grand Slam. This was the tournament. He got a tough draw. If he’d been in the other draw… I think everything has to fall into place, and if he’d been in the fourth section where [Arthur] Fery advanced, that would have been the section. Novak had some tough matches. I don’t think he’ll win another Grand Slam, but don’t rule out him being a threat at some point.

Pat Cash added

At the French Open, Djokovic’s run ended with a five-set defeat to Brazilian sensation, Joao Fonseca. In the Australian Open final, Alcaraz denied him the win.

Novak Djokovic on Arthur Fery’s run at Wimbledon

Arthur Fery received a wild card to feature in the main draw of Wimbledon. As the tournament progressed, Fery found himself playing the semifinals. Although he couldn’t become the first British man since Andy Murray at the 2016 Wimbledon to win a Grand Slam title, he has impressed the tennis world, including Novak Djokovic.

It’s great for the tournament. It was great for the home crowd. Today I watched a little bit of the match. Sascha was just too strong. But it was a hell of an effort from him to win, I think, what is it, three five-setters or something during his tournament? That’s impressive. For the future, it’s hard to tell. Things have to come together.

Novak Djokovic said at the press conference

In the semifinals, Fery lost in straight sets to Alexander Zverev. Before this Wimbledon, Fery had never made it past the second round of a Major.

En route to the semifinals, Fery overcame Grigor Dimitrov in a five-set thriller in the fourth round before knocking out this year’s French Open runner-up, Flavio Cobolli. Djokovic, on the other hand, featured in the longest quarterfinal of Wimbledon history. He battled past Felix Auger-Aliassime in five sets in five hours and 15 minutes.

Because it’s Djokovic, it’s uncertain where he will play next. Last year, he skipped the two Masters 1000s in the North American hard-court swing before playing the US Open.

Also read: Martina Navratilova Sees Inconsistent Play as Reason Why Novak Djokovic Is Yet to Win Another Grand Slam