Novak Djokovic is expected to give his legions of fans a proper, planned farewell when he eventually retires from tennis, rather than making a sudden announcement like his great rival Rafael Nadal. This insight comes from a seasoned Serbian journalist who has followed the star's career for years.
A Planned Send-Off Versus an Abrupt End
According to Saša Ozmo, a journalist for Sport Klub, the 24-time Grand Slam champion is unlikely to spring a surprise retirement. While he may not embark on a full-year farewell tour akin to basketball legend Kobe Bryant, Ozmo anticipates Djokovic will publicly announce his intentions while still having several tournaments left to play.
"Knowing Novak, he'll do his best to have a farewell tour, to maybe go to some of the places he didn't visit as a player that much and go to some of the places that were his favourite tournaments," Ozmo told Express. "I don't expect it to be a full year... but a few tournaments; I don't expect it to be abrupt."
This approach would stand in contrast to Rafael Nadal's retirement at the end of the 2024 season, which was confirmed relatively close to his final match.
The Lofty 2028 Olympic Goal and the Reality of Time
Djokovic has repeatedly stated his ambition to compete at the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, when he will be 41. However, Ozmo believes this target is "crazy" and optimistic, suggesting a U-turn is possible depending on the Serbian's physical condition and form.
"I mean, it's crazy, but he's been known to want and succeed in doing crazy things," Ozmo added. "So, playing until LA 2028 is a huge goal, considering he has been very injury-prone over the last couple of years."
The journalist highlighted the inevitable battle with age, noting that "you can't beat Father Time", even for an athlete as famously dedicated to his fitness, nutrition, and recovery as Djokovic.
Grand Slam Performance: The Key Catalyst for Retirement
Ozmo identified a potential decline in Djokovic's performances at major tournaments as a primary factor that could accelerate his retirement plans. The Grand Slams have long been Djokovic's central motivation.
"If he starts losing at Slams in the second or third round, that might be the catalyst for his decision to retire sooner rather than later," Ozmo stated. He pointed out that Djokovic has recently begun to reconcile with the possibility that winning another Grand Slam might be beyond him, a shift evident in his comments after Wimbledon and the US Open.
The immediate focus, however, is the 2026 Australian Open, which begins at Melbourne Park on 18 January, with the men's final on 1 February. Ozmo believes the tournament remains Djokovic's best chance for a 25th Grand Slam title, given his record ten victories there.
"From what I can tell from the preseason, he's taking it pretty seriously," Ozmo said. "But he is far from the favourite." He suggested that Djokovic's chances would significantly increase if the draw spared him meetings with top rivals like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Ultimately, while the structure of his exit may differ, the determination that defined Novak Djokovic's career will also shape its conclusion, as he looks to postpone retirement for as long as his body and results allow.
