By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, October 16, 2025
Photo: US Open Facebook
In the race for outstanding achievement, Novak Djokovic you see the opportunity and not the finish line.
The king of the Grand Slam, Djokovic knows the two young men-Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner– as an obstacle in his pursuit of the Grand Slam title.
However, Djokovic says he is driven to see how far he can go and suggests he has no intention of calling it quits in 2026.
Speaking at the Joy Forum in Saudi Arabia, the 38-year-old Serbian superstar cited veteran athletes from other sports – including Tom Brady and LeBron James – as inspirations from whom he draws emotional fuel as he aims to continue his career at age 40.
“Longevity is one of my biggest motivations,” Djokovic said at the Joy Forum. “I really want to see how far I can go. If you see in all the global sports, LeBron James he is still strong, he is 40 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo, Tom Brady played until he was 40, it is unbelievable.
“They’re inspiring me as well, so I want to keep going, that’s one of the motivations I have and then I want to live to see, to live which means to keep playing professionally, what’s coming for our sport and I’m very excited about that.”
The owner of 100 career championships, Djokovic defeated Alcaraz in a best-of-three Olympic gold medal match to capture gold for Serbia in August 2024. Alcaraz and Sinner have combined to collect eight consecutive Grand Slam championships with Djokovic’s last major crown coming at the 2020 US Open.
Speaking in Riyadh ahead of his Six Kings Slam appearance, Djokovic suggested he plans to continue competing for another two years in what he predicts will be a transformative time for tennis.
“These are things that I can’t talk about openly at the moment, but I feel that in the next two years, I feel that tennis is a sport that can transform a lot and I want to be part of that change,” Djokovic said. “Not only part of their change, but I want to play when we renew our sport and set the new platform that will continue for decades to come.”
While there is speculation that Djokovic may end his season after the Six Kings Slam to train for a shot at his 25th Grand Slam championship at the 2026 Australian Open, he is yet to make a final statement about his schedule.
Several, including former duo no. 1 and ESPN analyst Rennae Stubbs believes AO 2026 could be Djokovic’s last major.
The 10-time Australian Open champion has repeatedly said he will not abandon his quest for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.
“I’m not giving up on the Grand Slams in that regard, saying that. I’m going to keep fighting and try to get to the final and fight for another trophy at least,” Djokovic said. “But you
I know, it will be a very difficult task.”
One reason the four-time US Open champion keeps pushing himself is passion: Djokovic said his love of competition and the love he receives from fans fuel his competitive fire.
“Yes, I still enjoy the thrill of competition,” Djokovic said. “So thankful for that. Yeah, that’s one of the biggest reasons why I keep going.
“The love I’ve received around the world has been amazing these past two years.”
