At 38, Novak Djokovic stands as one of tennis’s greatest champions, with a record-equaling 24 Grand Slam titles, a Career Golden Slam, and a legacy that has redefined the sport. His 2023 US Open victory, a straight-sets masterclass over Daniil Medvedev, marked his 24th major, tying Margaret Court’s all-time record and cementing his place among the elite. Yet, as the Serbian maestro navigates the twilight of his career, a series of physical setbacks, inconsistent results, and a shifting tennis landscape have sparked intense debate: Should Djokovic retire? His record since that triumphant night in Flushing Meadows offers a complex picture—one of resilience, historic achievements, and undeniable challenges.
The 2023 US Open was a pinnacle for Djokovic. At 36, he became the oldest men’s champion in the tournament’s Open Era history, showcasing his tactical brilliance with serve-and-volley guile to outlast Medvedev 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3. “It obviously means the world to me,” he said, reflecting on a childhood dream fulfilled. The victory capped a stellar year where he won three of four Grand Slams, falling just short of a calendar Grand Slam with a five-set loss to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon. His emotional celebration, donning a “Mamba Forever” shirt honoring Kobe Bryant, underscored the personal significance of matching Court’s 24 titles. “I never imagined that I would be here standing with you talking about 24 Slams,” Djokovic admitted, hinting at a hunger for more.
However, the 2024 season painted a different story. For the first time since 2017, Djokovic went without a Grand Slam title, a stark contrast to his 27-1 major record in 2023. His year was marred by injuries and upsets. At the Australian Open, he fell to Jannik Sinner in the semifinals, ending a 33-match win streak in Melbourne. A knee injury forced his withdrawal from the 2024 French Open after a grueling five-set win over Lorenzo Musetti, and at Wimbledon, Alcaraz dominated him in a straight-sets final repeat. The US Open brought another shock, with Alexei Popyrin defeating him in the third round, a loss that left Djokovic “lifeless” and unable to summon his usual fire. “I’m going to keep going,” he insisted after the US Open, but his physical struggles told a different tale.
The 2024 Paris Olympics offered a beacon of hope. Djokovic, driven by the one accolade missing from his resume, defeated Alcaraz in straight sets to claim Olympic gold, completing a Career Golden Slam. “This is the greatest achievement of my career,” he declared, tears streaming as he collapsed on the Roland Garros clay. Yet, this triumph was an outlier in a season of setbacks. A metal water bottle striking his head in Rome and a muscle tear during the 2025 Australian Open semifinal against Alexander Zverev—his seventh mid-match Grand Slam retirement—highlighted his body’s fragility. “I couldn’t continue,” Djokovic said after retiring against Zverev, a moment that stunned fans and fueled retirement speculation.
Since the 2023 US Open, Djokovic’s pursuit of a 25th Grand Slam and a 100th ATP title—he reached No. 100 at the 2025 Geneva Open—has been relentless but fraught. His 2025 season began with a quarterfinal loss to Reilly Opelka in Brisbane, followed by the Australian Open retirement. Posts on X reflect divided sentiments: some fans see his emotional gestures, like kissing the clay in Paris, as hints of retirement, while others believe he’s targeting the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. “I have to be still there at the level of winning a Grand Slam or be one of the top players,” Djokovic stated, vowing to retire if he can’t compete at the elite level.
Djokovic’s record since 2023—two Grand Slam finals, a semifinal, a quarterfinal, and Olympic gold—would be the envy of most players, yet for a man who has won seven of the last 10 Slams he entered, it feels like a dip. At 38, he faces a new generation led by Sinner and Alcaraz, whose speed and power challenge his endurance. “What are you still doing here?” Medvedev jokingly asked in 2023, a question now echoing louder. Djokovic’s 390 weeks at No. 1, 40 ATP 1000 titles, and triple Career Grand Slam remain unmatched, but his recent losses to players like Alejandro Tabilo and Tomas Machac suggest Father Time is closing in.
As Djokovic prepares for the 2025 French Open, his focus is clear: a 25th Grand Slam to stand alone in history. “I don’t want to leave this sport if I’m still at the top,” he said, driven by a winner’s mentality forged through decades of dominance. Whether he can overcome physical wear and younger rivals remains uncertain, but his record since the 2023 US Open proves he’s still a force—bruised, but far from broken.
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