Novak Djokovic’s pursuit of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title will continue on into the 2026 season.
Since he claimed his 24th at the 2023 US Open, the Serb has been one major away from becoming the outright leader in men’s and women’s tennis history, surpassing Margaret Court, with whom he is currently tied.
In 2025, Djokovic made the semifinals at all four Grand Slams, but failed to reach a final for the first time since 2017.
He was forced to withdraw from the Australian Open due to injury, and was denied by Jannik Sinner at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, before beaten by Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open.
At 38, time is running out for Djokovic to achieve the feat, but Marcos Baghdatis is not counting the great man out just yet.
Marcos Baghdatis talks about Novak Djokovic’s major pursuit
In an interview with Tennis 365, Baghdatis said of his hunt for number 25: “Year by year, it’s going less and less, the chances, that’s for sure.
“But he’s still there, he’s still in the top five players in the world, he’s still competing with the top two, even top three. So, he’s still there.
Who is the greatest male tennis player of all time?
“But how long, I think depends only on him, depends especially on his mind, if he’s still enjoying it and playing at that level.
“If I was in his place, I would never retire either. But it all depends on him,” concluded the Cypriot, who made the final of the Australian Open in 2006.
Djokovic has stated publicly that he intends to keep playing until the 2028 Olympic Games, held in Los Angeles, at which point he will be 41 years of age.
Novak Djokovic’s best chance may be the Australian Open
The Australian Open is the Grand Slam at which Djokovic has enjoyed the most success in his career, and he may have his best chance at winning a 25th major there.
Realistically, Djokovic does not stand a chance of going all the way in Melbourne if he has to go through both Sinner and Alcaraz.
Why do you think Carlos Alcaraz has struggled at the Australian Open in the past?
2021 Australian Open – 1R
2022 Australian Open – 3R
2024 Australian Open – QF
2025 Australian Open – QF
He recently admitted that the ‘new two’ are simply better than him now, and they will only continue to get better as he declines with age.
Djokovic could, however, get over the line if he only has to play just one of the ‘new two’, which could happen following Alcaraz’s split with Ferrero.
If Djokovic finds himself on the same side of the draw as Alcaraz, and the Spaniard suffers an early exit as a result of growing pains with a new coach, he will have a golden opportunity.
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