Are we witnessing the final chapter of Novak Djokovic’s remarkable career
With his Olympic Gold medal pocketed in Paris last month and almost every other record in tennis already etched onto Djokovic’s CV, there will come a point where he will have to ask himself what comes next and that question could have a definitive answer if he defends his US Open title.
Carlos Alcaraz’s shock defeat against Botic van de Zandschulp has thrown the US Open draw wide open and while Djokovic was not due to meet his Spanish rival until the final, his removal from the equation at Flushing Meadows must have inspired Djokovic to believe his final step to tennis immortality is there for the taking.
World No 1 Jannik Sinner will be a big threat in the top half of the draw, yet his ongoing hop problem and the circus that has exploded around him following the revelation of his failed drug tests cast a cloud over the Italian.
Alexander Zverev may believe this could be his big chance to win a first Grand Slam, yet Djokovic will always back himself to find a way to beat the German when it matters most, with his 8-4 winning record in their head-to-head record including victories in their three Grand Slam encounters.
Djokovic has often spoken about his discomfort playing Hubert Hurkacz, but the big-serving Polish star is also out after a shock defeat against Jordan Thompson, with Daniil Medvedev the dark horse who could emerge from the pack to challenge the tournament favourite.
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Yet if Djokovic can maintain his focus and fitness, the 25th Grand Slam title he craves could be his at the end of the US Open and that would move him ahead of Margaret Court as the most successful tennis player of all-time in the majors.
At that point, there would be nothing left for Djokovic to reach out for, so could that be the ideal moment to call time on his career?
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John McEnroe spoke prior to the US Open at a Eurosport event and gave his views on what could come next for the most successful tennis player of all-time.
“It’s pretty hard to quit when you have won a Grand Slam,” stated McEnroe. “In a way, it would be a great time to do it if he wins the Open and gets to 25, but that’s something I don’t know the answer to.
“What is amazing is how he keeps coming back. How he wants more. The desire he has is incredible at the age of 37. He doesn’t need this any more, but he keeps coming back.
“Maybe he will wake up one day and realise he doesn’t need it any more, but so long as he has moments like the Olympics or maybe winning a 25th major, why stop?”
Djokovic’s desire seems high right now as he once crest of a wave after his Olympic glory, but does he has the drive to reach for more and more in 2025?
The start of this year confirmed Djokovic’s desire is waning outside of the marquee events in the sport, with coaching giant Patrick Mouratoglou telling Tennis365 his time to quit suddenly.
“He showed at the start of the season that he was human,” Mouratoglou told Tennis365 as he promoted his UTS Tour.
“I felt that he had a real motivation issue at the start of the season, especially when he saw that Rafa was struggling so much and might not be coming back.
“At the start of this season, it was almost as if Novak felt like the game was over because Rafa was struggling so much and it looked like it would be very difficult for him to come back to the top.
“I think this killed his motivation a little. One of the big motivations of his career was to have more Grand Slams than the two others and he has done that now.
“Then the Olympics come along and this prize that he has never lifted was there for him and his motivation came back. In such a short period of time, he was able to play at his best again.
“For him, it is all going to be about finding the motivation from this point forward. The tennis is there, he is there physically, but it is all about how much he wants to continue.”
Djokovic does not know when the flame that inspires him will be extinguished, but if he wins a 25th Grand Slam and achieves the last great mission of his career, the what comes next question will be ringing in his ears like never before.