Novak Djokovic came up short in his bid for Grand Slam number 25 at this year’s US Open.
The Serbian star picked up one of his best wins of the season in the quarterfinals, when Djokovic defeated last year’s runner-up, Taylor Fritz, in four sets.
His reward was a ninth career meeting with Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz, who was in contention for the world number one ranking at the US Open.
In straight sets, Djokovic fell to Alcaraz 4-6, 6-7, 2-6, as the 16-year age gap between the pair was noticeable on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Now 38 years of age, the prospect of retirement looms large for Djokovic, despite his impressively consistent Grand Slam season.
Commenting on Djokovic’s future, his former coach and tennis legend Boris Becker has predicted whether the 24-time Grand Slam champion will return to the US Open in 2026.
Boris Becker thinks Novak Djokovic said ‘goodbye’ to the US Open this year
During the latest episode of ‘Becker Petkovic’, the German discussed Djokovic’s plans for the future.
“So it was openly mentioned for the first time that maybe 2026 will be his last Grand Slam year,” said Becker.
“I think, now he’s admitted that he can’t realistically win a Grand Slam because of his age and the strength of the youngsters [Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner].
“What exactly does that mean? Does that mean he’ll stop at some point?
“Do you have any idea when that could be? Do you think he’s playing a full Grand Slam year?
“On one hand, he still dreams of the 2028 Olympics, where he wants to defend the gold medal for Serbia.
“That’s in three years, so I personally find that unrealistic.
“But the US Open, that sounded a bit like goodbye to me.”
Becker’s co-host, Andrea Petkovic, agreed, as she shared what she saw Djokovic do on his way out of Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“Yeah, I thought so too,” she said.
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“And even when he went out, he was on his way out; he stopped again, put the bag down again, showed his heart to the audience again.”
Djokovic made a similar exit at the French Open earlier this year, taking in the applause from the crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier following his defeat to Sinner.
Things were different at Wimbledon, however, as former British star Laura Robson noticed a change in the way he exited the stadium.
“There was more of a lingering goodbye at Roland Garros, a few weeks ago, he spent a bit more time on the court saying goodbye,” she said.
“But that actually felt like he plans to come back, that he wants another chance at this.”
With Djokovic now playing a much-reduced schedule, it wouldn’t come as too much of a surprise to see the Serb choose to focus his energy on his favorite Grand Slams.
Still searching for the elusive 25th major, maybe Djokovic will cross off Roland Garros and the US Open from his schedule, and instead turn his full attention to the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
Novak Djokovic’s record at Grand Slams
At the Australian Open and Wimbledon, Djokovic has won a combined 17 titles, a number that dwarfs his tally of seven from the French Open and US Open.
Novak Djokovic’s record at Grand Slams
Despite failing to win a set in all four Grand Slam semifinals he played this year, Djokovic did look more competitive at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
Only losing the first set of his semifinal with Zverev in a tiebreaker, who knows whether Djokovic could have battled back if he were fully fit.
Photo by PATRICK HAMILTON/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images
And, at Wimbledon, he played brilliant tennis at times, pushing the eventual champion hard on Centre Court.
It remains to be seen which Grand Slam events Djokovic will choose to attend in 2026, but it will certainly be something to look out for.
The 2026 Australian Open is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 12, 2026.