Novak Djokovic's legendary career could reach a pivotal moment at the Australian Open this month, with speculation mounting that a poor result might prompt his retirement.
Grand Slam Winner Casts Doubt on Djokovic's Future
Australian tennis great Mark Woodforde, a winner of 17 Grand Slam doubles titles, has suggested the Serbian superstar may call time on his playing days sooner than many anticipate. Woodforde's theory hinges entirely on Djokovic's performance at the upcoming tournament in Melbourne.
"My opinion is if he doesn't post a good result at the AO, I wouldn't be surprised if he calls it a day," Woodforde told Tennis365. He emphasised that mediocrity is not a concept associated with the 24-time major champion.
The 38-year-old Djokovic enters the competition chasing a historic 25th Grand Slam singles title. His last major triumph was at the US Open in 2023.
The Ageing Process and Rising Competition
Woodforde pointed to the inevitable impact of time on the athlete. "I think the ageing process, unfortunately, is catching up with Novak," he stated. "It accelerates as we get older."
This view is echoed by former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash, who expressed scepticism about Djokovic's ability to navigate the new generation of talent. Cash specifically highlighted the threat posed by Italian Jannik Sinner and Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz.
"I don't see him beating Alcaraz and Sinner in back-to-back five-set matches, and that's his problem," Cash explained. He suggested Djokovic could reach the semi-finals but may then encounter a familiar and formidable obstacle.
Fitness Concerns and Olympic Ambitions
Doubts over Djokovic's physical readiness were amplified recently when he withdrew from the Adelaide International. He cited not being "quite physically ready to compete" in a social media post, instead focusing his preparation solely on the Australian Open.
Despite these challenges, Djokovic has previously expressed a desire to compete at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. However, Woodforde's comments cast uncertainty over whether the champion will remain in the sport for another two and a half years.
Djokovic's trophy cabinet is virtually complete, containing an Olympic gold medal from Paris 2024 to go with a bronze from Beijing 2008. With nothing left to prove, Woodforde believes the Australian Open will be "really key" in determining "whether we'll see the rest of Novak Djokovic in 2026."
