Tennis legend Novak Djokovic has been tipped to retire after the 2026 Australian Open. The former world No.1 has won a men’s record 24 Grand Slam singles titles and is widely viewed as the sport’s greatest ever player.
But Djokovic has failed to win a Grand Slam since the 2023 US Open. The Serb has reached the semi-finals of all four major tournaments this year but retired hurt against Alexander Zverev in Australia before losing comfortably in straight sets to Jannik Sinner at Roland Garros and Wimbledon and Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open.
Djokovic has also openly admitted that he will struggle to beat current world No.1 and No.2 Alcaraz and Sinner in the latter stages of Grand Slam tournaments. The tennis great turns 39 next year and has been plagued by physical problems throughout 2025.
And former world No.1 doubles player Rennae Stubbs has suggested that Djokovic may choose to bow out after January’s Aussie Open. The Serb has won an open record ten titles Down Under.
“I feel like the Australian Open is going to be his last major tournament to play,” she said via GB News. “I don’t think he wants to keep playing after that and have to go through the French Open.
“He is so good on every surface but I can’t see him beating these guys over five sets on clay and then to go to Wimbledon again.
“I feel like the Australian Open would be a great way to finish his career. It’s where his Grand Slam titles started.”
Djokovic is currently vying for a record-extending fifth Shanghai Masters title. The tennis star showed his delight after beating Croatia’s Marin Cilic in his opening match by posting on Instagram: “It’s good to be back,” alongside a photo of him celebrating. He will play Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann next at around 11:30am UK time on Sunday.
Speaking in a pre-tournament press conference, the 2024 Olympic gold medallist said: “I’m working hard because I still want to compete head-to-head with Carlos and Jannik in Grand Slams. If you’re not 100% physically against them, your entire game suffers.
“I know it’s difficult to beat them in best-of-five sets because I’m not as fresh as they are for our matches. It’s a reality I have to accept. I think Masters 1000s are where I have the best chance of winning a major title.
“Aside from the losses to them, I think I’ve played good tennis and reaching the semi-finals of every Grand Slam gives an idea of the consistency of my tennis. In any case, I’m a very winning person and I’ve experienced the most in this sport, so I want more.”