Novak Djokovic has opened up about the possibility of retiring after his latest Wimbledon defeat, losing 6-4 6-4 6-4 to Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals. The 39-year-old Serb, now a 24-time Grand Slam champion, admitted his game is no longer what it used to be, sparking debate over whether he should step away from tennis.
Djokovic's Honest Assessment
Following the loss to Sinner, Djokovic was asked if he intends to return to Wimbledon next year at age 40. He replied: "I would like to, at least one more time. Let's see." He added: "I'm disappointed. Of course, I wanted to win Wimbledon. That's the reason why I'm still pushing myself so hard. But I just lost to a better player. I have to accept it."
When addressed as the "best returner that has ever been," Djokovic corrected: "Was. Was. That's the reality. Was. Was." This self-awareness has led many to question whether retirement is imminent.
Declining Results
Djokovic has not won a Grand Slam since the 2023 US Open. Since then, he reached two finals—Wimbledon 2024 and the 2025 Australian Open—both losing to Carlos Alcaraz. Even with Alcaraz missing Roland Garros and Wimbledon in recent months, Djokovic failed to capitalize. He was defeated by Sinner at Wimbledon, and at the French Open, both Djokovic and Sinner crashed out early, with Alexander Zverev winning the title.
Poll: Should Djokovic Retire?
Express Sport readers can vote on whether it is time for Djokovic to retire. Despite outlasting rivals Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray, Djokovic appears to be drifting further from the top. He currently shares the record for most Grand Slam titles with Margaret Court at 24, and another Major win would make him the sole record holder. But his recent performances suggest the gap is widening.
