Novak Djokovic retirement prediction made as his Grand Slam hopes are assessed by Patrick McEnroe
Patrick McEnroe has predicted that 2025 will be the last year of Novak Djokovic’s career as he also analysed the Serbian’s chances of winning more Grand Slam titles.
Djokovic did not add to his record total of 24 Grand Slam crowns this season, which made 2024 his first ‘majorless’ year since 2017.
The 37-year-old was a semi-finalist at the Australian Open, a quarter-finalist at the French Open (where he withdrew through injury) and a runner-up at Wimbledon, before he fell in the third round at the US Open.
The legendary Serb did, though, claim the only significant title previously missing from his staggering trophy collection at the Paris Olympics in August.
Djokovic delivered arguably one of his finest-ever performances to overcome Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets in the Olympic gold medal match at Stade Roland Garros.
The Olympics is the only tournament Djokovic has won in 2024 after he claimed seven titles — including three Grand Slams — last year.
The world No 4 withdrew ahead of the ongoing Paris Masters, while his participation at the 2024 ATP Finals in Turin is uncertain.
Speaking on the Tennis Channel Inside-In podcast, McEnroe argued it will be difficult for Djokovic to add to his major tally, while assessing that the tennis great is “still in the mix.”
“I think this [next year] will be his last year. It’s gotta be very tough to win more majors. If the Australian Open starts tomorrow, he is the third favourite. That’s pretty solid,” the American said.
“Rafa [Nadal] would have come back. Rafa wanted to play more and so did [Roger] Federer. They certainly didn’t think they had to win but they wanted to [play]. I think Novak would be the same.
“He is obviously still in the mix in a big way. There’s no doubt he can win the Australian Open. He won the Olympics on clay, which was amazing.
“Yes, he can win one or two more… Wimbledon obviously. There’s still not that many great grass-court players.”
The former French Open doubles champion highlighted the threat posed to Djokovic by Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who won two Grand Slams each this year.
“Sinner, I think will be dangerous on every surface as we have seen him winning two hard-court majors. Those two guys (Sinner and Alcaraz) have separated themselves,” McEnroe added.
“Novak knows in a big spot he can still be there. As long as he thinks he has got a shot, I believe he will play.
“I predicted he wouldn’t win a major this year, people thought I was crazy. But he did win the Olympics. I think he was really thinking about trying to win that gold medal and, incredibly, he did it.”
