There is no disputing that Novak Djokovic is approaching the end of his career, but it remains to be seen if one more Grand Slam is in the cards.
With his first match of 2025 Wimbledon scheduled next week, Djokovic spoke to reporters on Saturday and candidly admitted that of all the Grand Slams left in his career, this might be his best chance to capture his increasingly elusive 25th title.
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“I would probably agree that Wimbledon could be the best chance, because of the results I had, because of how I feel, how I play in Wimbledon,” said Djokovic, who faces Alexandre Muller in the first round Tuesday. “Just getting that extra push mentally and motivation to perform the best tennis at the highest level.”
Djokovic hasn’t won a Grand Slam since the 2023 US Open. At six tournaments, it’s his longest drought since going two years without a win while dealing with an elbow injury that required surgery in 2017 and 2018. Djokovic has reached only one Grand Slam final since the beginning of 2024, losing last year’s Wimbledon championship match against Carlos Alcaraz.
To be sure, Djokovic has won some success in that span, most notably the men’s singles gold medal in the Paris Olympics, but the 22-year-old Alcaraz and 23-year-old Jannik Sinner have won ever Grand Slam in that span and now represent a significant roadblock for the 38-year-old Serbian. It won’t get easier as the years pass.
The younger pair are co-favorites for the 2025 title at the All England Club, with BetMGM having Alcaraz leading the pack at +115 odds and Sinner behind him at +190. Djokovic is third, but a distance away at +650.
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Wimbledon has been a friendly event for Djokovic over the years, with his seven titles putting him only one behind Roger Federer’s eight for the most all-time.
As for when he’ll actually retire, Djokovic hasn’t been entirely clear. He hinted that he might have already played his final French Open match after losing to Sinner in the semifinals at Roland Garros earlier this month, but has since announced he plans to defend his Olympic title at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
He was similarly hazy on Saturday, via the AP:
“Whether it could be my ‘last dance,’” the 24-time major champion began, repeating the phrase used by the reporter who posed the question, “I’m not sure — as I’m not sure about Roland Garros or any other Slam that I play next.”
“My wish is to play for several more years. I would love to be healthy physically and also mentally motivated to keep on playing at the highest level,” he said. “That’s the goal. But you never know at this stage.”
Federer retired at 41 years old. Rafael Nadal retired at 38 years old. Djokovic is already as old as the latter legend was, and would need to last until he’s as old as the former to make it 2028. There’s little argument he hasn’t slowed down compared to his prime, with only two ATP-sanctioned titles, including the Olympics, since the end of 2023, but the choice to continue will ultimately be up to him.