After Novak Djokovic's unexpected defeat in the first round of the US Open 2026 against Mariano Navone, the ATP rankings witnessed a strange feeling. After nearly a quarter of a century, for the first time there is no one in the "Big Three" group in the Top 10 of the world men's tennis rankings.
Among the 3 names taking turns challenging the patience of the tennis world, 2 have become memories, the other is now a shadow stretching towards the sunset.
Djokovic dropped to 12th place in the ATP rankings.
Curious people will ask, will this "drop" push Nole into a state of accepting the sunset or will it become the last blow to awaken the beast in him?
Does the 39-year-old legend still have the desire to return to the Top 10? Still want to go to the ATP Finals one last time?
If so, what needs to be done, which path should we take?
He currently has 2,980 points, 195 points behind tenth-placed player Taylor Fritz. The distance is far or near depends on the time.
At his peak, sometimes just participating in an event was enough for Djokovic to overcome. But at the age of 39, when more cramps, exhaustion and vomiting appear during competition, 195 points carry a weight.
So is the road to the Top 10 for the player who owns 24 Grand Slams really far or near?
According to the remaining schedule in 2026, there are still 2 more Masters 1000 tournaments in Shanghai and Paris. Entering the semi-finals or finals in Paris is enough to collect from 360 to 1,000 points, enough for Djokovic to return to the Top 10.
In addition, there are also ATP 500 and ATP 250 tournaments to accumulate points, if Masters 1000 is still difficult for him.
That is about theory and mathematical numbers. The practical problem that Djokovic needs to solve is physical condition and psychology.
For many years, Nole has maintained the feeling of being at the top, focusing his energy on Grand Slams, Masters 1000 and turning his back on the rest. Currently, does he "dare to accept" lowering himself, playing in the 500 or 250 tournaments to "ploy points"?
It is very difficult to assess, because only the Serbian legend himself knows what he wants. It is not just a change in the schedule, but a change in the way he accepts reality.
Here, motivation becomes an important factor. When a person has completely conquered the peaks of world tennis, is squeezing out the last drops of strength just to enter the Top 10 attractive enough?
Another thing that will add motivation to Nole is the ATP Finals at the end of the year in Turin, Italy. He needs to be in the Top 8 of Race to Turin to get a ticket.
In the current picture, Djokovic is ranked 15th, with 2,330 points, 450 points away from Daniil Medvedev's 8th place.
Of course, among them are Rafael Jodar, Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Alex de Minaur, Jakub Mensik. So if he wants to compete for the 10th time at the year-end event (not to mention the championship ambition), Djokovic will need to participate continuously in small events.
Therefore, world tennis at this time will look at Nole, to see how he arranges with himself in the final stage of the journey.
Or sitting in the car starting to plunge, or the monster cravings again...
Djokovic has only participated in 7 tournaments since the beginning of the year, equal to Carlos Alcaraz, 2 tournaments behind Jannik Sinner and at least double that of the remaining opponents in the Top 20 Race to Turin.
