Novak Djokovic is still chasing his elusive 25th Grand Slam title — a feat that would make him the only player in history, male or female, to reach that mark. But at 38, questions continue to mount around how much longer the former World No. 1 can sustain his pursuit at the highest level. Adding fuel to the speculation, Nick Kyrgios recently shared details of a conversation he had with Djokovic about the subject, dating back to early 2024.
Djokovic has hinted that retirement could be looming following semifinal exits at both the French Open and Wimbledon — defeats that came at the hands of current World No. 1 Jannik Sinner. While Djokovic hasn’t committed to a timeline, he’s made it clear he still wants to compete in Grand Slam events, though his future beyond this season remains uncertain.
During a recent appearance on the All on the Table podcast alongside renowned coach Patrick Mouratoglou, Kyrgios offered his personal prediction on when Djokovic might walk away from the sport.
“I can’t see him playing for more than another year,” Kyrgios admitted. “Not again. Not the whole year again. He is so professional. I am just speaking from my experience if I had a family like his and kids”.
The Australian then revealed a revealing exchange he had with Djokovic during Indian Wells earlier this year, suggesting the 24-time Grand Slam champion may already be wrestling with the decision.
“I asked him this at Indian Wells this year. We were in the locker room and I said, ‘Why are you here? Why are you playing?’ He just goes, ‘I don’t know.’ I go, ‘What about your kids? I know you want to spend time with your family.’ He said, ‘Yeah, I don’t know.’ That was the first time I think he misses his family a lot. I stay in touch with him all the time,” Kyrgios added.
What did Djokovic say after his RG and Wimbledon exits?
Despite his age, Djokovic has managed to reach the semifinals in all three Grand Slams so far this season. At the Australian Open, he was forced to retire mid-match against Alexander Zverev due to injury, after dropping the opening set — but did not suggest it might be his final appearance in Melbourne.
That changed in Paris and London. At Roland Garros, Djokovic was defeated by Sinner in straight sets. In his post-match press conference, the Serbian all-time great reflected on the possibility that it could be his final appearance at the French Open.
“This could have been the last match ever I played here – I don’t know,” he admitted. “That’s why it was a bit more emotional at the end. But if this was the farewell match of Roland Garros for me in my career, it was a wonderful one in terms of the atmosphere and what I got from the crowd”.
Then came Wimbledon, where Djokovic once again fell to Sinner in straight sets — but this time with an even more dominant display from the Italian. Following his defeat, Djokovic left the door open for at least one more return.
“Hopefully it’s not my last match on the Centre Court. I’m not planning to finish my Wimbledon career today. So I’m planning to come back definitely at least one more time, play on the Centre Court, for sure,” he said during a press conferece.