In the pantheon of tennis greats, few names shine as brightly as Novak Djokovic’s. With 24 Grand Slam titles, a record he shares with Margaret Court, the Serbian legend has redefined what’s possible in the sport. Yet, at 38, Djokovic faces a daunting challenge: securing that elusive 25th major to stand alone as the all-time leader. His former coach, Boris Becker, recently offered a candid assessment of Djokovic’s prospects, warning that “time is running out” in an era dominated by two young titans, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Speaking on the Becker Petkovic podcast, Becker’s words were both a tribute to Djokovic’s enduring greatness and a stark reminder of the hurdles he now faces.
Djokovic’s pursuit of history remains unwavering. His 2023 US Open triumph, where he defeated Daniil Medvedev in straight sets, marked his 24th Grand Slam and cemented his status as the oldest men’s singles champion in the tournament’s Open Era history. Since then, however, the road has been rocky. In 2025, Djokovic reached the semifinals of all three Grand Slams—Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon—but fell short each time. At the Australian Open, an injury forced him to retire against Alexander Zverev. At Roland Garros and Wimbledon, he was outplayed by World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in straight sets. “I’m glad he reached the semifinals; he played a great tournament, but is that enough for him?” Becker asked, underscoring Djokovic’s relentless ambition. “He’s still playing tennis because he wants to win 25 Grand Slams, to become the sole record holder.”
The rise of Alcaraz and Sinner has shifted the tennis landscape. The duo, aged 22 and 23 respectively, have claimed the last seven Grand Slam titles, with Sinner securing four and Alcaraz three. Their dominance echoes the era when Djokovic himself challenged the Federer-Nadal duopoly. Becker, who coached Djokovic from 2013 to 2016, sees parallels. “Djokovic is trying hard, but he’s the fifth wheel again,” he said, comparing Djokovic’s current role to his early career struggles against Federer and Nadal. “Now he is with Alcaraz and Sinner.” The challenge is formidable: to win another major, Djokovic likely needs to defeat both, a task Becker deems increasingly difficult. “That’s the big question now, because to win a Grand Slam, he probably has to beat both [Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner],” Becker noted.
Sinner, in particular, has emerged as a nemesis. Dubbed “Djokovic 2.0” by Becker, the Italian has won his last five matches against Djokovic, including straight-set victories in the 2024 Australian Open, 2025 French Open, and 2025 Wimbledon semifinals. “Sinner was the better player, because for me, Sinner is Djokovic 2.0; he’s another version of Djokovic, 15 years younger. Novak knows that, too,” Becker said. Sinner’s relentless power and precision, combined with Alcaraz’s flair and athleticism, have set a new benchmark. “It must be said that on their good days, Sinner and Alcaraz are better than Djokovic is on his good days. That frustrates him, but he’s a realist,” Becker added.
Djokovic’s physical condition adds another layer of complexity. A fall during his Wimbledon quarterfinal against Flavio Cobolli left him hobbled, and at 38, recovery is slower. “He also has to realize, yes, he did injure himself a bit on match point against [Flavio] Cobolli, but at 38, you get injured more easily,” Becker observed. Djokovic himself acknowledged the toll of age after his Wimbledon loss: “It’s just age, the wear and tear of the body. As much as I’m taking care of it, the reality hits me right now, the last year and a half, like never before.” Yet, his resolve remains unshaken. “I’m planning to come back definitely at least one more time,” he vowed, eyeing the 2025 US Open, which begins August 24.
Wimbledon, where Djokovic has won seven titles, was seen as his best shot at No. 25. “That’s how it was with Wimbledon, and he said Wimbledon was the tournament where he had his best chance of winning a Grand Slam,” Becker recalled. The grass courts, less taxing than clay or hard courts, suit Djokovic’s serve and tactical acumen. Yet, even there, Sinner’s dominance was undeniable, and Alcaraz awaited in the final. Despite these setbacks, Djokovic’s 2025 season has shown flashes of brilliance. His four-set upset over Alcaraz at the Australian Open and his Olympic gold medal win against the Spaniard in 2024 prove he can still compete at the highest level. “I feel like when I’m fit, I can still play really good tennis. I’ve proven that this year,” Djokovic said.
As the US Open approaches, Djokovic’s window narrows, but his legacy as one of the greatest endures. Becker’s warning—“The question is, how realistic are the chances he’ll win another Grand Slam now, because time is running out”—reflects the harsh reality of age and competition. Still, Djokovic’s history of defying odds keeps hope alive. Whether he can outmaneuver the Alcaraz-Sinner juggernaut remains uncertain, but his pursuit of that 25th title will captivate tennis fans, proving that even as time ticks, Djokovic’s fight is far from over.
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