Alexander Zverev has claimed that Novak Djokovic could stay in the top five for another “three, four years” if he wanted to. The Serbian superstar, 39, has become increasingly selective with his schedule in recent years, prioritising the Grand Slam tournaments.
But after losing in the semi-finals of Wimbledon last month, Djokovic has decided to return to the Cincinnati Open for the first time since 2023 to get some matches under his belt before the US Open.
Djokovic's Return to Cincinnati
Djokovic is the No. 3 seed in Cincinnati, where he beat Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling three-set final to lift the trophy on his last appearance here. It’s just his sixth tournament of the 2026 season, but Zverev believes that the 24-time Major champion could stay right at the top of the sport if he competed more often.
“Novak, if he chooses to, he could probably stay in the top five for another three, four years, or another two, three years, easily. If his goal was to stay in the top five, he would stay in the top five, because that’s how good his tennis is,” the recent Wimbledon finalist said.
Zverev's Perspective on Djokovic's Career
However, Zverev knows that Djokovic is now in a different stage of his career. Last month, the 39-year-old beat Felix Auger-Aliassime in the longest quarter-final in Wimbledon history, at five hours and 15 minutes, before losing to Jannik Sinner in the semis.
And the German added: “At some point, I think he’s the first to admit it – he admitted it at Wimbledon – at some point it gets difficult to play best-of-five matches against the best back-to-back all the time, which is, I think, very, very normal.
“To be out there for five-and-a-half hours and win those matches, it’s an unbelievable effort. But then to have to come back two days later and play the world No. 1, world No. 2, I think that’s a difficult task at 39 years old, and would be a difficult task for anyone.”
Djokovic's Path in Cincinnati
While Sinner and Alcaraz have both withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open due to injury, the Serb still has a tough draw. Djokovic has received a bye into the second round, where he takes on either Thiago Agustin Tirante or Britain’s Jan Choinski.
The world No. 5 could then face Jack Draper or 31st seed Matteo Arnaldi, while recent Canadian Open quarter-finalists Jakub Mensik and Luciano Darderi are potential fourth-round opponents. Djokovic could meet Alex de Minaur in the quarters, and Zverev in the semis.
