At an age when many players of the same generation have retired, Novak Djokovic continues to pursue the goal of playing at the top and competing for major titles. Moving towards the 2028 Olympics is seen as a symbolic milestone to close his career, showing that the player who once held the world No. 1 position is not ready to leave tennis. However, to reach this goal, Djokovic faces the biggest challenge from his physique and age limits.
The 2025 season recorded Djokovic reaching the semi-finals of all 4 Grand Slam tournaments, thereby affirming that he is still in the top tennis player group in the world. However, the difference between Djokovic and the next generation such as Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner is increasingly evident, especially in the ability to maintain high intensity in long matches.
In addition, serious injuries in the past 2 years, including a thigh muscle fracture at the Australian Open 2025 and a knee injury at Roland Garros 2024, have raised questions among experts about Djokovic's ability to withstand the load in 5-set tournaments. Many opinions believe that at this stage, winning another Grand Slam title not only depends on professional level but also requires strategic calculation and luck.
In 4 Grand Slam tournaments, the Australian Open 2026 is considered the most realistic opportunity for Djokovic to aim for his 25th Grand Slam title. The hard court in Melbourne is considered more suitable for his current condition compared to Roland Garros or Wimbledon.
In the long term, the Olympic 2028 goal has the meaning of surpassing the medal issue. This is seen as Djokovic's desire to close his career on the biggest stage, in the jersey of the Serbian national team. To maintain competitiveness, the 38-year-old player may adjust his schedule, prioritizing ATP 250 or 500 tournaments to preserve fitness, maintain ranking and competitive feeling, instead of spreading out to the entire Grand Slam system.
At the present time, Djokovic is still capable of competing for Grand Slam titles if favorable conditions converge. However, the 2026 season is likely the final stage in which these factors can still go hand in hand. Even if he does not achieve the set goal, Djokovic can still continue to play not only for records, but to close his career in the way he considers most suitable.
