As Retirement Questions Loom, Djokovic Declares Wimbledon His 'Best Chance' for 25th Major

As Novak Djokovic prepares for another Wimbledon campaign, familiar questions about his future in the sport have resurfaced. The 38-year-old addressed the topic on Saturday, acknowledging the uncertainty while setting his sights on a historic 25th Grand Slam title.

When questioned if this could be his "last dance" at the All England Club, Djokovic remained non-committal. "I'm not sure," he stated, "as I'm not sure about Roland Garros or any other Slam that I play next."

Djokovic elaborated on his mindset, balancing his ambition with the realities of his age. "My wish is to play for several more years. I would love to be healthy physically and also mentally motivated to keep on playing at the highest level," he said. "That's the goal. But you never know at this stage."

A Prime Opportunity on Grass

Despite the uncertainty, Djokovic conceded that Wimbledon likely represents his best opportunity to secure another major trophy, which would elevate his total to an unprecedented 25.

"I would probably agree that Wimbledon could be the best chance, because of the results I had, because of how I feel, how I play in Wimbledon," said Djokovic. He noted the tournament provides "that extra push mentally and motivation to perform the best tennis at the highest level."

His record on the grass courts is formidable. Djokovic has won seven championships at the tournament and reached the final in the last six editions that were held, winning in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022. His only recent final-round losses came in 2023 and 2024 to Carlos Alcaraz. His last defeat at the event prior to a final was in the 2017 quarterfinals against Tomas Berdych.

The persistent questions about his career longevity mirror the final chapters for other tennis legends such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Serena Williams. Now, it is Djokovic who faces the routine inquiry.

Still a Major Threat

Although he has not secured a Grand Slam title in over a year and a half, since his victory at the 2023 US Open, Djokovic emphasized that his ability to compete at the highest level remains intact.

He reminded reporters of his recent strong showings, including a semifinal run at the Australian Open in January and a final-four appearance at the French Open this month, where he lost to No. 1 Jannik Sinner. Following that match in Paris, Djokovic hinted it could have been his last at Roland-Garros. Furthermore, he secured a gold medal for Serbia at the Paris Olympics less than a year ago, defeating Alcaraz in the final.

"These tournaments give me the biggest drive, still," Djokovic affirmed. "I like the way I feel right now, physically. Tennis-wise, I've been playing good on the practice sessions. Obviously completely different when you start a tournament. I'll try to have a very good tournament and go as far as I can."