Novak Djokovic lost to Jannik Sinner, 4-6, 4-6, 4-6, in the Wimbledon semi-finals.
The Serb let another chance to win a 25th Grand Slam slip through his fingers, losing to Sinner just as he did 12 months ago.
Who will win the Wimbledon final? Jannik Sinner or Alexander Zverev
The top two seeds collide!
At 39, Djokovic may not have too many more opportunities to win major titles, leading some to question if or when he should retire.
During the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage, Pat Cash and Eugenie Bouchard suggested how they would like Djokovic to retire from tennis.
Pat Cash says Novak Djokovic deserves to announce his retirement and enjoy a farewell tour
“I would like to see him continue on, I really would,” said Cash.
“Maybe give us a year of, ‘I am going to retire this year.’
“He has earned that.
“Most players don’t do their final goodbye year; they find it a bit cheap. But for Novak [Djokovic], he deserves it.
“Come and cheer me on and say thank you and goodbye.
“Of all the people, he should make that announcement.”
Bouchard agreed with Cash.
“I like that plan,” she said.
“He should do that for 2027. Just play the four Slams and say goodbye.”
They also discussed whether Djokovic will ever win another major title.
“I do think this was his best chance to win a Slam because it was Wimbledon and of course, Carlos [Alcaraz] not being here and [Jannik] Sinner looking a little sketchy in the first round, but playing amazing today,” said Bouchard.
“It’s hard to say. Next year he will be 40 if he plays at Wimbledon, I’m not sure.”
Cash doesn’t think Djokovic will win another Grand Slam either.
“I don’t realistically think he has another Slam in him,” he said.
“I think you’re right. This was the one. It was the weaker tournament.
“It was a bit unfortunate; he had a tough draw. If he was in the other draw… I think everything has to fall into place, and if he was in the quarter where [Arthur] Fery got through, that was the section. Novak had some tough matches.
“I don’t think he will win another Slam, but don’t write him off being a threat at some stage. I don’t think he will go all the way, though.”
Djokovic won his 24th Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open, defeating Daniil Medvedev in the final.
He’s played 11 major tournaments since, but has failed to add to his Grand Slam tally.
Novak Djokovic’s last 11 Grand Slam results
- 2024 Australian Open – Lost in SF to Jannik Sinner
- 2024 French Open – Withdrew before QF
- 2024 Wimbledon – Lost in F to Carlos Alcaraz
- 2024 US Open – Lost in 3R to Alexei Popyrin
- 2025 Australian Open – Lost in SF to Alexander Zverev
- 2025 French Open – Lost in SF to Jannik Sinner
- 2025 Wimbledon – Lost in SF to Jannik Sinner
- 2025 US Open – Lost in SF to Carlos Alcaraz
- 2026 Australian Open – Lost in F to Carlos Alcaraz
- 2026 French Open – Lost in 3R to Joao Fonseca
- 2026 Wimbledon – Lost in SF to Jannik Sinner
As Cash and Bouchard rightly pointed out, the chances of him winning a 25th Grand Slam are getting worse by the day.
Nobody in the modern era has won a Grand Slam singles title at the age of 39, or 38 for that matter.
If Djokovic returns to Wimbledon in 2027, he will do so as a 40-year-old.
While the Serb has made the impossible possible throughout his career, winning a major in his 40s may prove to be a step too far.
What’s next for Novak Djokovic after Wimbledon?
Djokovic doesn’t seem keen on retiring anytime soon, so fans shouldn’t have to worry about that just yet.
But they may have to wait a while before he returns to action.
In 2024 and 2025, Djokovic didn’t play any events between Wimbledon and the US Open, and there is every chance he does the same in 2026.
So, for anyone expecting him to turn up in Montreal or Cincinnati, prepare to be disappointed!
The likelihood is that Djokovic’s next competitive match will be in the first round of the US Open.
This year’s US Open main draw begins on Sunday, August 30, although the mixed doubles event (which Djokovic played with Olga Danilovic last year) starts on Tuesday, August 25.
