Djokovic at a Crossroads: What's Next for the Tennis Legend?

Novak Djokovic's quest for a record 25th Grand Slam title has stalled for over two years, and recent performances have raised questions about what the future holds for the tennis superstar.

Poll

How long is your ideal workout?

30 min

45 min

60+ min

Since his 2023 US Open victory, the 38-year-old has found it challenging to keep pace with younger rivals like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who have dominated the last eight Grand Slam tournaments.

TRAIN LIKE AN OLYMPIC MEDALLIST!

After a semi-final loss to Alcaraz at last month's US Open, Djokovic admitted that sustaining his energy across five sets was becoming difficult.

However, his recent performance at the Shanghai Masters cast doubt on his form even in shorter matches.

Despite the absence of Alcaraz and an early injury exit for Sinner, Djokovic suffered a surprising straight-sets defeat (6-3, 6-4) in the semi-finals to a qualifier ranked outside the world's top 200.

GET HYROX RACE READY AT GYMNATION

This unexpected loss has fueled speculation about his immediate and long-term future. While competing in all four Grand Slams next year seems increasingly unlikely, his upcoming schedule remains packed with high-stakes events.

Later this week, Djokovic is set to compete in the lucrative 6 Kings Slam in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The exhibition event features a star-studded lineup including Alcaraz, Sinner, Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Taylor Fritz.

With a guaranteed payout of $1.5 million for participation and a potential winner's prize of $6 million, it's highly improbable that Djokovic will withdraw, despite recent fitness concerns.

He is slated to play his semi-final match on Thursday, October 16.

TRY BOLLYNATION AT GYMNATION

Following the event in Riyadh, Djokovic is also scheduled to participate in the inaugural Hellenic Championships in Athens from November 2-8.

This gives him a couple of weeks to recover before what will likely be his final tournament of the 2025 season.

He is expected to skip the season-ending ATP Finals for the second consecutive year.

After Athens, Djokovic will have over two months to rest, reassess, and decide on his roadmap for 2026, including whether he will compete at the Australian Open.

As the tennis world watches, the Serbian legend stands at a critical juncture in his celebrated career.

Source: firstpost

The opinions shared in the GymNation blog articles are solely those of the respective authors and may not represent the perspectives of GymNation or any member of the GymNation team.