​Serbian legend Novak Djokovic has dropped nine of his last 12 encounters against the sport’s elite trio, including Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, with his most recent defeat coming at the hands of Sinner in Friday’s Wimbledon semifinal. After losing in straight sets to Sinner (6-4, 6-4, 6-4), Djokovic faced a straightforward question: does he still intend to compete against the world’s best players—even if it seems increasingly unlikely to yield the trophy at the age of nearly 40? His response was, as expected, candid and unwavering in spirit.
“I’d like to. At least one more time. Let’s see,” said the seven-time Wimbledon champion, outlining his desire to return to SW19 at least once more in 2027. Djokovic, who hasn’t captured a major title since the 2023 US Open, is in the midst of the longest Grand Slam drought of his storied career. Yet he remains among the Tour’s elite, frequently advancing deep into major tournaments only to be surpassed by rising stars like Sinner or Alcaraz on the sport’s grandest stages. Throughout these setbacks, Djokovic has shown resilience rather than discouragement.
“When I look back,” he noted, “last year I reached four semifinals.” He continued, highlighting his consistency across the season. “This year, out of three Slams, I reached one final and one semifinal. For 99% of players, that would be a very good Grand Slam result. For me, it’s not good enough.” He attributed this to an enduring, almost paradoxical mix of privilege and pressure that accompanies his status as one of the sport’s greatest. “Because I’m blessed and cursed to be used to something of the highest degree in terms of results and achievements,” he explained, acknowledging that his lofty expectations can sometimes clash with the realities of modern tennis.
Djokovic described an ongoing internal struggle: a constant push to maintain a standard that fans and critics alike have come to associate with a 24-time major champion. “I’m dealing with myself in a sense that I’m telling myself, look, this is amazing that you’re still able to play at such a high level and push the youngsters to the limit for Grand Slam titles,” he said. The burden of expectation sits alongside a genuine passion for competition. “I always have the highest expectations for myself,” he added, characterizing it as an internal battle shaped by two decades of top-tier competition, long-term goals, and previously established benchmarks.
Balancing ambition with humility remains a central theme for Djokovic. “It’s kind of that internal battle of what I’ve been through for 20+ years of my career, what the goals were, the expectations… and trying to also balance it out and trying to be a bit more humble in that sense,” he reflected. Yet the joy of competing endures. “I still enjoy the thrill of competition. Maybe I don’t enjoy all the hard weeks leading up to big tournaments, putting myself over and over again through a lot of pain, physically mostly. I’m glad that this tournament the body held pretty well,” he added, signaling a readiness to press on.
Looking ahead, Djokovic is expected to participate in the upcoming US Open, though it remains uncertain whether he will undertake the full hard-court swing leading to Flushing Meadows. The post-US Open hard-court calendar traditionally kicks off with ATP 1000 events in Montreal and Cincinnati before the year culminates at the sport’s final major. Djokovic’s fans will be watching closely to see whether the veteran remains a formidable force on the circuit or if the rise of Sinner, Alcaraz, and other young talents will continue to challenge his position at the summit.
This evolving narrative—Djokovic’s pursuit of more major glory amid a changing landscape—stands as a testament to his longevity and unyielding competitive drive. As he continues to chase that elusive 25th major, his willingness to extend his career beyond 2027 will likely hinge on a combination of health, motivation, and the relentless demand for excellence that has defined his career from the outset. The world will remain captivated as Djokovic weighs one more opportunity to test himself against tennis’s brightest stars and, perhaps, to add another chapter to a legacy many considered almost untouchable.