Tennis may soon be preparing to bid farewell to one of its greatest-ever champions, with Novak Djokovic tipped to retire after the 2026 Australian Open.
The Serbian legend, 38, reached the semi-finals of this year’s US Open but was beaten in straight sets by eventual winner Carlos Alcaraz.
It marked the first time since 2009 that Djokovic competed in all four majors in a single season without reaching a final, sparking renewed speculation that his remarkable career is nearing its conclusion.
Rennae Stubbs, the former world No.1 doubles player who coached Serena Williams during her farewell tournament in 2022, has suggested the 24-time Grand Slam champion will make Melbourne his last stage.
Novak Djokovic may end his career at the Australian Open according to Renee Stubbs
|REUTERS
She revealed: "I feel like the Australian Open is going to be his last major tournament to play. I don’t think he wants to keep playing after that and have to go through the French Open.
"He is so good on every surface but I can’t see him beating these guys over five sets on clay and then to go to Wimbledon again.
"I feel like the Australian Open would be a great way to finish his career. It’s where his Grand Slam titles started.”
Djokovic has enjoyed a remarkable time at the Australian Open, lifting the trophy a record 10 times since his maiden success there in 2008.
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Stubbs added that the event has always been a defining part of his story, calling it “love or hate” in a way that reflects the Serbian’s mercurial career.
Although Djokovic still holds the all-time record for most Grand Slam singles titles, his dominance has slowed in recent years.
Since winning the 2023 US Open, he has appeared in just one major final — Wimbledon 2024 — and was beaten there as well.
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Rennae Stubbs coached Serena Williams and is a former No1
|GETTY
The emergence of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner has created a new power structure in men’s tennis, with the younger stars regularly blocking Djokovic’s path to the biggest stages.
The man who once seemed untouchable has admitted himself that the new generation is proving difficult to overcome.
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“I’ve lost three out of four slams in the semis to these guys,” Djokovic conceded after his US Open defeat to Alcaraz.
“They’re just too good, playing on a really high level. Unfortunately, I ran out of gas after the second set. Best-of-five makes it very difficult for me now, particularly at the later stages.”
Novak Djokovic has struggled with numerous injuries in recent months
|REUTERS
By the time the 2026 Australian Open concludes, Djokovic will be approaching his 39th birthday.
Whether Stubbs’ prediction proves accurate or not, there is a growing sense that the sport is preparing to say farewell to one of its most iconic figures.