Novak Djokovic has won a record 24 Grand Slam titles, but hasn’t picked up a major in 793 days.
Searching for Grand Slam title number 25, Djokovic has come up empty-handed in both 2024 and 2025.
He’s played a major-heavy schedule in a bid for Grand Slam glory, but has been unsuccessful, as his younger rivals Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner begin to dominate the four biggest tournaments in tennis.
Djokovic had been expected to focus on the Grand Slams again in 2026, although one former major champion believes that may no longer be the case…
Two-time major champion Yevgeny Kafelnikov thinks Djokovic may now have his sights set on a different tennis record.
Yevgeny Kafelnikov thinks Novak Djokovic is now looking to take Jimmy Connors’ ATP titles record
During the latest episode of ‘Hardcourt’, Kafelnikov shared what he believes Djokovic’s new goal to be.
“It seems to me that his most important goal is to overtake Jimmy Connors in the number of titles,” he said.
Most ATP titles of all time
- 1. Jimmy Connors – 109
- 2. Roger Federer – 103
- 3. Novak Djokovic – 101
- 4. Ivan Lendl – 96
- 5. Rafael Nadal – 92
- 6. Pete Sampras – 64
- 7. Andre Agassi – 52
- 8. Andy Murray – 46
- 9. Thomas Muster – 39
- 10. Andy Roddick – 32
“Jimmy Connors has 109; it seems to me that Novak [Djokovic] is focused on this goal. He wants to go down in history as the man who has won the most ATP tournaments.
“He will do everything possible in his time left to win nine more tournaments. What tier are these tournaments? ATP 250, Masters series, Grand Slams? No one cares.
“He played four matches in Athens; he understands that for any tennis player at his age, that is an enormous burden. Even if you are superior in terms of ability and the quality of your game. But playing against [Lorenzo] Musetti, who is 22-23 years old, at the peak of his physical abilities, this is not simple.
“It’s very difficult for him, and he understands. What else does he have to prove to anyone? He will prove it to himself by winning the [109] titles.”
Kafelnikov thinks Djokovic will potentially skip Grand Slams next year, in a bid to reach 109 titles.
“I think Novak will be very, very meticulous with his schedule next year. I don’t think he will play all the Grand Slams, take my word for it,” he said.
“I want to be wrong. He’s going to Australia, but there’s a big question mark there with Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open, because Grand Slam tournaments are very energy-consuming.
“Where possible, he will target places where he can win tournaments.”
Time is, of course, running out for Djokovic to break Connors’ record, as he edges closer to retirement…
Novak Djokovic’s goal of retiring at the 2028 Olympics is ‘very ambitious’ – Yevgeny Kafelnikov
After winning his 101st career title at the Hellenic Championship, Djokovic suggested that he would like to retire from tennis at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Kafelnikov respected Djokovic’s wishes, but questioned how realistic the goal really is.
“I think he wants to be a flag bearer at the opening or closing ceremony of the Olympic Games, but I think this is very ambitious,” he said.
“He looks at examples like Cristiano Ronaldo, who is over 40 years old and still plays football at a pretty good level, just like [Lionel] Messi in America.
Current ages of sporting legends
- Novak Djokovic (Tennis) – 38 years
- Lionel Messi (Soccer) – 38 years
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Soccer) – 40 years
- Lebron James (Basketball) – 40 years
“There are many examples that he is probably guided by, but tennis is an individual sport; it’s not a team sport.
“You have to do everything yourself, and it’s not easy.”
If Djokovic were to compete at the 2028 Olympic Games, he’d do so as a 40-year-old.
Only time will tell if Djokovic will hold off retirement until then, but it will certainly be something to look out for in 2026 and beyond.
Djokovic is expected to make his return to tennis in the build-up to the 2026 Australian Open, which begins on Monday, January 12.
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