Novak Djokovic, one of tennis’ all-time greats, has recently opened up about his retirement plans, revealing that while he is contemplating the end of his illustrious career, he is more concerned with how he will retire rather than when. Despite nearing the age of 38, the Serbian has no immediate plans to step away from the sport and is gearing up for another season, starting with his opening match at the Australian Open, where he will face wildcard Nishesh Basavareddy on January 12.
Djokovic’s legendary career, which has seen him win the most men’s singles titles at the Australian Open in the Open Era, continues to thrive. His 24 Grand Slam titles have placed him at the pinnacle of the sport, alongside his long-time rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. However, as Federer and Nadal have already retired, and with Andy Murray in his corner for the tournament, Djokovic has acknowledged that the time to think about his retirement is drawing near. Despite this, Djokovic insists that it is more important for him to focus on the manner in which he concludes his career rather than the timing of it.
Speaking candidly about his thoughts on retirement, Djokovic stated, “I am thinking about how I want to end it and when I want to end it. No, I’m going to take that back. I do think about more how than when.” He further elaborated that if he starts to notice a significant gap between himself and the younger generation, or if overcoming major challenges in big slams becomes more difficult, he would consider stepping away from the game. Djokovic has always maintained that he wants to leave the sport on a high, echoing advice he has received from both fans and fellow players. “Both publicly and privately, a lot of people told me they think it's best if you leave on a high,” he remarked.
One of the players tipped to challenge Djokovic’s Grand Slam dominance is Carlos Alcaraz, who has had a remarkable rise in the tennis world. Alcaraz, who captured both the French Open and Wimbledon titles in 2024, is a serious contender for breaking Djokovic’s Grand Slam record. At just 21 years old, Alcaraz is already on the verge of achieving a career Grand Slam, and Djokovic believes it is only a matter of time before the Spaniard, along with Jannik Sinner, surpasses his 24 Grand Slam titles.
Djokovic spoke highly of Alcaraz, praising the young Spaniard’s achievements, which include becoming the youngest male player in history to win multiple Grand Slam titles at such a young age. “Carlos has done something no one has done in history for such a young age, so the odds are with him. He is going to complete his [career] slam very soon,” Djokovic said, acknowledging that Alcaraz’s potential is immense. Djokovic also noted that Alcaraz’s mentality of wanting to be “the best in history” is something he respects, although he believes it might be a bit early for the 21-year-old to think about such lofty goals just yet.
Djokovic also expressed admiration for Jannik Sinner, another young player with the potential to break his records. Both Alcaraz and Sinner have won a total of six Grand Slam titles between them, and Djokovic believes that with proper care and attention to their bodies, they can certainly challenge his achievements. “If they take care of the body, if they do things in a proper way, focus on longevity, focus on the long-term, then they can do it,” Djokovic said.
With the Australian Open fast approaching, Djokovic’s thoughts on retirement are not a distraction but a reflection of his deep understanding of the game and his place within it. He remains fully focused on the upcoming challenges, and his respect for the younger generation of players highlights his maturity as both a competitor and a mentor to the next wave of tennis stars. As Djokovic enters the final chapters of his career, fans and players alike are keenly watching how he will close out his remarkable journey. His reflections on retirement and the future of tennis suggest that the sport’s torch is in capable hands, with players like Alcaraz and Sinner poised to take it to new heights.
