Novak Djokovic is looking to win a record-extending 25th Major title in 2025 but will face some tough opposition.
There is perhaps no bigger name in tennis than Djokovic, who is looking to bounce back after a rare tough year in 2024.
Djokovic won Olympic Gold in Paris but failed to pick up an ATP Tour title for the first time since 2005, as he finished the year ranked number seven in the world.
The Serb ended his season early, as Djokovic withdrew from the ATP Finals, skipping the tournament that he had won in 2022, and 2023.
During the off-season, Djokovic hired Andy Murray as a coach, a clear sign that the 37-year-old is still looking to improve, despite entering the latter stages of his career.
His career may be nearing an end, but one former ATP star has now said that he thinks Djokovic’s retirement could still be a few years away.
John Isner doesn’t think Novak Djokovic will retire from tennis in 2025
Speaking on the Nothing Major podcast, former Miami Open champion John Isner was asked whether he thinks Djokovic will retire from tennis this year.
“I don’t think so, no, I will say no,” he said.
“He said after he won the gold in Paris that effectively he wouldn’t mind suiting up for the Olympics in LA in 2028.
“So, no, if his level completely drops off and he’s 25 in the world he might consider that.
“But I think he wants to keep doing ridiculous things and maybe play until he’s 40, we know he takes care of his body.”
Djokovic finished the 2024 season as world number seven, his lowest year-end ranking since 2017, perhaps a sign of the Serb beginning to slow down.
| Year | Age | Ranking | Best Grand Slam result |
| 2003 | 16 | 679 | – |
| 2004 | 17 | 186 | – |
| 2005 | 18 | 78 | 3R – Wimbledon, US Open |
| 2006 | 19 | 16 | QF – French Open |
| 2017 | 30 | 12 | QF – French Open, Wimbledon |
| 2024 | 37 | 7 | F – Wimbledon |
| 2022 | 35 | 5 | W – Wimbledon |
It was a tough year for Djokovic, but even in the Serb’s worst years he still manages to compete at the highest level, something he showed by reaching the Wimbledon final.
Djokovic may have lost to Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets, but still put up a strong fight, as he made his tenth final at SW19.
How old were Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer when they retired from tennis?
Isner thinks the Serb may take to the court for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028 when Djokovic will have just turned 41.
That would make the 24-time Slam winner one of the oldest players to compete, but how would it compare to some of his greatest rivals?
- Roger Federer – Retired at 41
- Rafael Nadal – Retired at 38
- Andy Murray – Retired at 37
Roger Federer retired from tennis upon the conclusion of the 2022 Laver Cup as a 41-year-old, losing in the doubles alongside Rafael Nadal.
His last ‘competitive’ season came in 2019, as a 38-year-old, however, as he reached the final of Wimbledon and took home the Miami Open title.
Nadal retired from tennis this year at 38-years-old but hadn’t been competitive since 2022 when he won both the Australian and French Open titles at 36.
Andy Murray struggled with serious injury problems for several years, and he last enjoyed elite success in 2016, before his 30th birthday.
If Djokovic does participate at the Olympic Games three years from now he will match Federer’s longevity in the sport, but if he were to truly compete and threaten for the title, then he will have accomplished something none of his rivals were able to achieve.
Djokovic will return to the court at the Australian Open which begins on January 12.
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