Novak Djokovic’s future has been discussed for several years, but the conversation has become louder after what happened to him at the US Open.
The 39-year-old Serbian suffered his first opening-round defeat at a Grand Slam tournament in 20 years when Mariano Navone beat him 7-6(5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in New York. Djokovic also had physical problems during the match, and former Wimbledon semifinalist Sam Querrey now believes the veteran could be approaching the final year of his career.
Querrey predicts Djokovic will stop in 2027
Speaking on the Nothing Major Podcast, Querrey predicted that Djokovic will play his last professional tournament at some point in 2027.
“I think at some point next year, in 2027, we will watch Novak play his last tournament. That’s just a hunch, I have no info, that’s where I land on that, that’s my feeling,” Querrey said.
Former top-30 player Steve Johnson had a different view because Djokovic has previously talked about trying to reach the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
“I get that, he’s talked about wanting to play the 2028 Olympics so that’s me,” Johnson replied.
Djokovic will turn 40 next May, and retirement questions are not something new for him. However, the 24-time Grand Slam champion has continued to make it clear that he still enjoys competing and does not want somebody else to decide when his career should end.
His latest US Open was certainly not the tournament he expected. The former world No. 1 led Navone by two sets to one and also had a break advantage in the fourth set, but his physical condition became worse as the match continued.
I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me. It’s something that I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year. Vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there. Then my whole body starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain.
“Yeah, the back just gave up in the end and shoulder, and I couldn’t close it out,” Djokovic said.
The defeat was his earliest at a Grand Slam tournament since the 2006 Australian Open. It also came after a season in which the experienced Serbian again showed that he can still reach the later rounds of big tournaments.
Djokovic reached the Australian Open final at the beginning of the year and then made another Wimbledon semifinal in July. At the All England Club, Jannik Sinner stopped him in straight sets, but Novak did not sound like a player preparing to leave tennis immediately.
Djokovic still wants to continue playing Grand Slams
“Losing in straight sets against the best player in the world, OK, it is what it is. It’s the reality you have to accept. But the tournament was positive in terms of the attitude on the court, the fighting spirit, the dedication. I mean, it’s still there,” Djokovic said after Wimbledon.
I’m glad that this tournament, the body held up pretty well. Pretty much every other tournament in the last two years it was always something.
“That’s the main thing. I feel when I’m healthy, I’m still able to play as a top-five player, still able to compete at the highest level. I like it. I like this life. I mean, tennis has given me everything in my life and has allowed me an opportunity to become who I am.”
Asked at Wimbledon whether he wanted to return in 2027, the seven-time champion gave a simple answer.
“I would like to, at least one more time.”
Djokovic has also repeatedly spoken about Los Angeles 2028. In an interview last year, he described another Olympic appearance as the main thing he could still see in his professional future after finally winning gold for Serbia in Paris in 2024.