Patrick McEnroe would not assume Novak Djokovic might be a professional tennis participant in 2026 but additionally would not agree with these claiming that the Serb is unquestionably completed and that he will not be a Grand Slam contender anymore.
After a really dominant 2023 season that noticed the Serb make all 4 Slam finals and land three Majors, the 37-year-old went in 2024 and not using a single Slam gained in a season for the primary time in seven years. And never solely that the present world No. 4 did not win any Majors this yr, however he additionally did not stand an opportunity in his Australian Open semifinal towards Jannik Sinner and the Wimbledon remaining versus Carlos Alcaraz, respectively.
However regardless that it hasn’t been the very best of the seasons for Djokovic, he nonetheless managed to safe two main issues – he lastly grew to become an Olympic gold medalist and he’s additionally assured to complete with the all-time Grand Slam file after Rafael Nadal confirmed his retirement.
With every little thing that has occurred in 2024, there have been some doubts thrown on the file 24-time Grand Slam champion. Nonetheless, the 37-year-old laid to relaxation rumors of him probably retiring after this season.
“I feel this [next year] might be his final yr. It’s gotta be very robust to win extra majors. If the Australian Open begins tomorrow, he’s the third favourite. That’s fairly stable. Rafa would have come again. Rafa wished to play extra and so did Federer. They definitely didn’t assume they needed to win however they wished to. I feel Novak can be the identical. He’s clearly nonetheless within the combine in a giant means. There’s little doubt he can win the Australian Open. He gained the Olympics on clay, which was wonderful. Sure, he can win one or two extra… Wimbledon clearly. There’s nonetheless not that many nice grass-court gamers,” McEnroe stated on Tennis Channel’s Inside-In podcast.
McEnroe on if Djokovic can compete towards Sinner and Alcaraz
After changing into a Grand Slam champion on the Australian Open, the Italian additionally gained his second Main at this previous US Open. On the opposite aspect, the Spaniard improved to 4 Slams following back-to-back triumphs on the French Open and Wimbledon.
Following a three-set loss to Alcaraz within the remaining at The Championships, even Djokovic himself admitted that these two have been forward of him in the intervening time. And now, the Italian and the Spaniard are extensively thought to be the 2 high favorites for Slam titles subsequent yr.
Addressing that, McEnroe acknowledges the 2 kids are in their very own league now but additionally warns that the Serb cannot be written off.
“Sinner, I feel might be harmful on each floor as we’ve seen him successful two hard-court majors. These two guys (Sinner and Alcaraz) have separated themselves. Novak is aware of in a giant spot he can nonetheless be there. So long as he thinks he has acquired a shot, I consider he’ll play. I predicted he wouldn’t win a significant this yr, folks thought I used to be loopy. However he did win the Olympics. I feel he was actually fascinated with making an attempt to win that gold medal and, extremely, he did it,” the American defined.
What Djokovic needed to say about his Slam future and calls to retire?
Though the Serb has achieved his greatest objectives and secured the most important data and principally there is no such thing as a want for him to maintain taking part in, he would not stroll to stroll away from professional tennis simply but as a result of he feels he can nonetheless do extra nice issues.
“Deep down, I nonetheless really feel like I’ve just a few extra Grand Slams to win. That’s what drives me to maintain going, to really feel like I can nonetheless do it, and to play the Davis Cup for Serbia. Tennis continues to be my greatest voice for sharing the messages that curiosity me probably the most. I nonetheless benefit from the course of and every little thing it offers me,” Djokovic informed La Nacion earlier this month.
Additionally, the 37-year-old very instantly responded to calls that he ought to retire – telling that there is no such thing as a means that can occur within the close to future.
“Perhaps some folks assume I ought to retire with the Olympic gold, on a excessive. Others, quite the opposite, assume I ought to maintain going so long as I’m a candidate for the Grand Slams. I’m leaning in the direction of the latter. Perhaps I’ll change my thoughts quickly, however now I really feel like I need to maintain going. I really feel sorry for many who need me to retire, however I nonetheless have a while left,” he stated.
In the meantime, Djokovic final performed on the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh the place he misplaced to Jannik Sinner within the semifinal earlier than beating Rafael Nadal for third place.
This week, Djokovic will not be competing on the Paris Masters and there have been rumors indicating that he may even skip the ATP Finals.
