Patrick Mouratoglou Gives His Take on Novak Djokovic’s Retirement Timeline
Renowned tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou has weighed in on the long-debated question of when Novak Djokovic will retire, suggesting that the Serbian legend still has more to accomplish before calling time on his career.
Djokovic, now 36 years old, remains at the pinnacle of the sport despite recent setbacks, including his shock second-round exit at Indian Wells. With 24 Grand Slam titles to his name, he has broken almost every record in tennis, yet his hunger for success has not diminished.
Mouratoglou, who has coached some of the biggest names in tennis, including Serena Williams and Holger Rune, believes Djokovic will only retire on his own terms—and that time hasn’t come yet.
“I don’t see Novak retiring anytime soon,” Mouratoglou stated. “He is still extremely competitive and driven. As long as he believes he can win Grand Slams and break new records, he will keep playing.”
The French coach highlighted Djokovic’s adaptability as a key factor in his longevity, noting that the Serbian has successfully evolved his game to stay ahead of the younger generation, including stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
“He has changed his playing style over the years, making adjustments to remain dominant. That’s a sign of a true champion,” Mouratoglou added.
However, the coach also acknowledged that retirement could come sooner than expected if Djokovic feels his body can no longer keep up with the demands of the sport.
“He is incredibly disciplined with his fitness and recovery, but at some point, age catches up with everyone. The real question is: When will he no longer be motivated to push himself? That’s when he’ll retire,” Mouratoglou explained.
While Djokovic has not publicly hinted at a retirement date, he has previously mentioned his desire to play at the 2026 Olympics in Los Angeles, which could indicate that he still has at least two more years left in him.
For now, the Serbian star remains focused on adding to his historic legacy, and as long as he continues to challenge for major titles, retirement may still be a distant conversation.
