No matter how remarkable or enduring a sports career is, it must eventually come to an end. Yet for Novak Djokovic and LeBron James, that inevitability seems distant. At 38 and 40 years old, respectively, both athletes continue to compete at the highest levels. While speculation swirls around Djokovic’s potential retirement, American tennis legend John McEnroe isn’t buying into it.
Djokovic has defied the passage of time, much like James with the Los Angeles Lakers, recently reaching the semifinals at Roland Garros before falling to World No. 1 Jannik Sinner. This resilience is one reason McEnroe admires Djokovic, likening him to the NBA superstar. “It’s impossible not to admire him. I consider him the LeBron James of tennis,” McEnroe stated via Corriere della Sera.
McEnroe acknowledged that young stars like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are poised to dominate the sport. However, he believes Djokovic isn’t ready to fade into the background just yet.
“Due to his age, he struggles more and more to keep up with Carlos and Jannik’s pace, but he remains a prodigy, someone science should study,” McEnroe continued.
Jannik Sinner of Italy shakes hands with Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the net after his victory at Roland Garros. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
McEnroe also questioned the idea of Djokovic retiring, asserting that the Serbian still has the edge against the world’s best. “Why should he retire if he continues to be so competitive? He is still the best competitor against the top two, and he has two major advantages: his experience and the ability to recover from tough moments,” McEnroe explained.
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Novak Djokovic hints at potential retirement after Roland Garros semifinal loss to Jannik Sinner
Kyrgios weighs in with his own comparison
Nick Kyrgios also weighed in on the Djokovic-LeBron comparison, reinforcing the parallels between the two. Both are among the oldest active players in their respective sports and continue to set records while competing against younger stars.
As Roland Garros 2025 reached its final stages, Kyrgios participated in a lighthearted game for Bleacher Report, where he drew comparisons between the four semifinalists—including Djokovic—and NBA stars.
“For me, it’s pretty obvious: Novak Djokovic is like LeBron James. The longevity, what they’re still doing close to 40, they’re super relevant, and everyone knows who they are,” Kyrgios remarked.
Two careers defined by greatness
When it comes to Novak Djokovic and LeBron James, personal preferences aside, their greatness is undeniable. Both athletes have etched their names in history as two of the most dominant figures their respective sports have ever seen.
The Serbian tennis legend holds the record for the most Grand Slam titles in history, with an astonishing 24 trophies to his name. Meanwhile, the American basketball icon stands alone as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, a testament to his longevity and unparalleled skill on the court.
