Novak Djokovic Archives

‘She’s coming back’: Novak Djokovic predicts Serena Williams’ return

Novak Djokovic is convinced US tennis great Serena Williams will return to competition, and the 24-time Grand Slam champion is itching to see “one of the greatest athletes” back on court.

“I think she’s coming back,” Djokovic said Wednesday at the ATP/WTA Indian Wells Masters.

“I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to her, but I guess the sentiment is that she’s coming back. Where and how, singles, doubles, we don’t know, and if I’m in her position, I would hide it too.”

Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, hasn’t competed since a third-round loss at the 2022 US Open.

But the 44-year-old mother of two re-entered the anti-doping testing pool in December and regained eligibility.

Initially she denied she planned a comeback, but in January she declined to rule it out, telling NBC’s “Today” show: “That’s not a yes or a no. I don’t know, I’m just going to see what happens.”

Djokovic said players were buzzing at the prospect.

“Everybody is excited, and it’s definitely something that’s very highly anticipated,” he said.

Williams’s sister Venus, 45, accepted a wild card into the Indian Wells singles draw and will face France’s Diane Parry in the first round.

Djokovic suggested Serena could return for Wimbledon — where she is a seven-time singles champion.

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“I pick that one as well as her comeback,” he said. “I don’t know. I think she might maybe play a doubles tournament or two with Venus. That would be nice to see, just from my point of view and tennis fans’, for sure.

“She’s one of the greatest athletes, really. It would be great to have her back too.”

Djokovic is seeded third in Indian Wells as he plays his first event since he fell to Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open final, after toppling Jannik Sinner in the semis.

“For me that has been a phenomenal result,” the 38-year-old said. “I have proven to myself primarily and to others that I can still compete at the highest level and beat these guys.

“So my logic is why not keep going as long as I have that fire and flair and quality and also motivation to do that.

“There are objectives and goals that are always there. You want to win, so you want to get another title and get another Slam, hopefully,” he said. “I was close in Australia.”

Djokovic’s five Indian Wells titles are tied for the most with Swiss great Roger Federer.

But he hasn’t reached the quarter-finals since his last title run in 2016.

He’ll launch his latest desert campaign on Saturday against either France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard or Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak.

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Novak Djokovic hints at retirement after Australian Open loss

Novak Djokovic leaves the Australian Open still stuck on 24 Grand Slam titles and with fresh doubts about how many more tries he will have at winning an outright-record 25th.

The 38-year-old, Djokovic, has consistently dismissed talk of retirement and said he is eyeing the defence of his Olympic gold at the Los Angeles Games in 2028.

But after losing to Carlos Alcaraz in four sets in the final on Sunday, the Serb suggested he may not be back in Melbourne.

“God knows what happens tomorrow, let alone in six months or 12 months,” he told the crowd at Rod Laver Arena. “So it has been a great ride. I love you guys.”

Djokovic has won a record 10 Australian Opens and until Sunday had never lost a final there.

But for all his success, Djokovic has not always had an easy relationship with the Melbourne fans.

“I want to just say in the end that you guys, particularly the last couple of matches, gave me something that I have never experienced in Australia,” he said.

“That much love, support, positivity. I tried to give you back with good tennis over the years.”

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It had the ring of a farewell speech and did not appear to have been just an emotional response to defeat. He said he had prepared two speeches, one for winning and the other for losing.

Novak Djokovic won his 24th Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2023, drawing him level with the Australian Margaret Court at the top of the all-time list.

But age and injuries, plus the emergence of world number one Alcaraz and number two Jannik Sinner, have left him unable to win another.

Before Sunday, his previous Grand Slam final had been in 2024, when he lost the Wimbledon decider, again to Alcaraz.

Last year, he reached the semi-finals of all four majors but got no further, with Alcaraz and Sinner sharing the spoils.

He rolled back the years to defeat Sinner, 14 years his junior, in a five-set semi-final marathon in Melbourne.

But after Djokovic won the first set, the 22-year-old Alcaraz took a stranglehold on the final to sweep to victory 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5.

Underlining where Djokovic is now in the pecking order of men’s tennis, he admitted he had not expected to reach another major final.

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Alcaraz outplays Djokovic to win maiden Australian Open title

Carlos Alcaraz swept past Novak Djokovic to win his first Australian Open on Sunday and become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam, denying the Serbian great an unprecedented 25th major.

The Spaniard was imperious after a slow start in dismissing the 38-year-old, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 on Rod Laver Arena to claim a seventh Slam title and cement himself as undisputed world number one.

In doing so, he became the youngest man in the Open era to win all four majors, adding to his two titles each from Wimbledon and the French and US Opens.

At 22, he surpassed legendary countryman Rafael Nadal — in the crowd to witness the feat — who was two years older when he did the same.

A seventh Slam put him alongside John McEnroe and Mats Wilander and one behind Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors, and Ivan Lendl.

It was a first defeat for Djokovic in a Melbourne final, having won all 10 previously, leaving him still searching for a landmark 25th major to better Australia’s Margaret Court, who was also watching on centre court.

Djokovic, striving to become the oldest man to lift a Grand Slam singles trophy, last won one at the US Open in 2023. Since then, Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have shared the spoils.

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Both men battled through five long sets in their semi-finals, Alcaraz against Alexander Zverev and Djokovic against Sinner, and recovery was always going to be key after their physical struggles.

But they showed few signs of fatigue in another gladiatorial contest.

They both opened with comfortable holds before a double fault and netted forehand presented the first break point chance for Djokovic at 2-1.

Alcaraz saved it, but the aggressive fourth seed kept pressing and converted on his third, then consolidated for a 4-1 lead.

Djokovic was reading Alcaraz’s serve well and once he got in the rallies was authoritative, with a sensational forehand winner earning him two set points.

He claimed the set in a statement 33 minutes after a ninth unforced error from the top seed, having dominated the big moments.

It was vintage Djokovic, but Alcaraz came storming back, upping the tempo to break for 2-1 in the second set, pumping his fist when he saved a break point and held in the next game.

Djokovic put drops to his eyes and began rubbing them, unable to tame a now rampant Alcaraz who broke again for 5-2.

There were some sensational rallies that had the crowd on their feet in set three, which went with serve until Djokovic slapped a forehand wide under pressure to slip 2-3 behind.

He gamely saved four set points at 3-5 but with his energy levels dropping was unable to save a fifth as the Spaniard took control.

On the back foot, Djokovic then saved six break points in an 11-minute opening service game in set four to stay alive and kept fighting hard.

But Alcaraz ground him down and pounced as Djokovic served to stay in the match to seal a maiden Australian championship.

It ensured he remained world number one and Sinner two, with Djokovic moving up a place to three ahead of Zverev.

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Djokovic stuns Sinner to set up Alcaraz final in Australian Open

Novak Djokovic will face Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open final after stunning reigning two-time champion Jannik Sinner early Saturday in a five-set marathon to move to the brink of history.

The 38-year-old Serb rolled back the years to battle past Sinner 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in a 1:32 am finish and plays top seed Alcaraz in Sunday’s Melbourne title decider.

If he beats a player 16 years younger, Djokovic would win an all-time record 25th Grand Slam crown.

Alcaraz defied fitness issues in an epic five-set triumph of his own, over German third seed Alexander Zverev, in the other semi-final.

With age and injuries catching up with Djokovic, this may represent the Serb’s best chance of seizing that elusive 25th major, although his gritty display against Sinner shows he still has plenty left in the tank.

His last Grand Slam title came at the US Open in 2023, since when Alcaraz and Sinner have dominated men’s tennis.

It has left Djokovic stranded alongside Australia’s Margaret Court — who was in the stadium watching — tied on 24 majors.

Sinner, 24, made a rapid start at Rod Laver Arena, breaking Djokovic’s serve to race into a 3-0 lead.

The four-time major winner was in superb touch, his serve firing and his groundstrokes unerring to seal the first set.

Back came Djokovic, breaking serve for a 3-1 lead in the second set and then saving three break points for 4-1.

Djokovic sent a whipping cross-court forehand beyond Sinner on his first set point to level the match.

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Djokovic seemed to wilt midway through the third set, holding his chest briefly and then half-collapsing into his seat.

Sinner had three break points at 5-4 and nailed the set on the second one when a Djokovic lob drifted long.

But the gutsy Djokovic was not done, breaking the Sinner serve early in the fourth set as the time ticked past midnight.

They went to a deciding fifth set, and the tension went up another notch, as Sinner repeatedly squandered chances to break serve.

Djokovic was ruthless, seizing the break for 4-3, then holding, to put an 11th Melbourne final within reach.

Somehow, Sinner saved two match points at 4-5 down, before Djokovic got the job done, third time lucky.

The former world number one is the undisputed king of Melbourne Park, having won 10 titles there.

But he admitted he was very lucky after reaching the semi-finals and acknowledged he was the underdog against Sinner.

Djokovic was two sets down in his quarter-final to Lorenzo Musetti when the Italian fifth seed retired hurt.

He also had a free ride through the fourth round when Jakub Mensik pulled out injured.

Djokovic reached the semi-finals of all four majors last year, but failed to go further.

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Djokovic storms into Australian Open quarters after Mensik withdraws

Ten-time champion Novak Djokovic reached the Australian Open quarter-finals without striking a ball Sunday after his last-16 opponent Jakub Mensik withdrew.

The pair were due to play in a night match on centre court on Monday, but “super sad” Czech star Mensik pulled out with an abdominal injury.

His withdrawal means Djokovic will play Italian fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti or American ninth seed Taylor Fritz for a place in the semi-finals.

“Unfortunate decision to make for me,” said rising star Mensik, who beat American Ethan Quinn in three sets to set up the Djokovic clash.

“After the last couple of matches I started to feel worse, and actually the problem is my abdominal muscle on the left side.

“I think if I would step on the court tomorrow, it would be such a big risk for me for my next weeks, for my next tournaments, and actually for my health.

“The fact that my fourth-round match was to be against Novak on Rod Laver Arena makes it even more difficult,” added the 20-year-old.

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“So, of course, I’m super sad not to step on the court and to compete against my idol and the GOAT.”

Djokovic became the first player to win 400 Grand Slam matches when he swept past Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in three sets to set up the Mensik match.

The 24-time Slam winner is in good form so far as he bids to shatter the recent dominance of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

Since his last Slam title, in 2023 at the US Open, Alcaraz or Sinner have shared all eight majors.

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Novak Djokovic ‘hanging in there’ after 400th Grand Slam win

Record-shattering Novak Djokovic said he was “hanging in there” after becoming the first player to win 400 Grand Slam matches Saturday on his way into the last 16 at the Australian Open.

The 38-year-old Serbian great swept past Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) in front of a boisterous crowd on centre court to extend his own all-time record of match wins at the majors.

Roger Federer (369) and Serena Williams (365) are the next best.

Victory was also his 102nd at Melbourne Park, where he has won 10 titles, tying Federer for the most Australian Open singles wins.

Djokovic’s reward is a fourth-round clash with either Czech rising star Jakub Mensik or American tournament debutant Ethan Quinn, whose match was delayed due to extreme heat.

The 24-time Slam winner is in good form so far as he bids to shatter the recent dominance of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

“I’m still trying to give these young guys a push for their money,” said Djokovic. “I’m still around. I’m hanging in there.

“Obviously, Alcaraz and Sinner are the two best players in the world. They’re playing on a different level from all of us right now.

“But, you know, when you enter the court and the ball rolls, you always have a chance, particularly here, on the court that has given me the most in my career.”

But after making the semi-finals at all four majors last year and not going further, he stressed that he was “not getting ahead of myself”.

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“Last year I got too excited, too early in some of the Grand Slams,” he said. “I was playing really well and getting to the quarters and semis and then getting injured in pretty much three out of four.”

The 75th-ranked Van de Zandschulp upset Djokovic in three sets at Indian Wells last year, but never looked like pulling off another shock.

The fourth seed wound back the clock with some phenomenal tennis in set one, securing the critical break in the fourth game after a mammoth 26-point rally.

He broke the Dutchman again on his opening serve in the second set and moved to 4-2, but it was a struggle, and he became noticeably more irritable.

At one point, he smacked a ball towards an advertising hoarding out of frustration and nearly hit a ball kid, quickly apologising.

Novak Djokovic had work on his foot during a medical timeout in set three after a tumble.

They exchanged breaks, and the set went to a tiebreak, where he proved the most resilient.

“A few points before, I almost saw the physio, I was planning to see him for my blisters,” he said of the fall where he appeared to turn his ankle.

“Thankfully, I managed a good fall, if you can say that. Things could’ve been really ugly in that moment.”

Djokovic has been tied with Margaret Court on 24 major titles since winning the US Open in 2023.

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Teenage giantkiller Jovic gets help from ‘kind’ Djokovic in Melbourne

Giantkiller Iva Jovic has credited “kind and attentive” Novak Djokovic for helping her make a splash at the Australian Open, with the 18-year-old taking tips from the 24-time Grand Slam winner.

Jovic, the youngest player in the women’s top 100, stunned seventh seed and two-time Slam finalist Jasmine Paolini on Friday to make the last 16.

It was the biggest scalp of her burgeoning career, and Serbian great Djokovic, who is 20 years her senior, had a hand in it.

“Actually, I spoke to Novak a little bit. So it was pretty incredible,” said Jovic.

“He gave me some very attentive tips for my game and something I can try to incorporate into this match that I just played.

“So that was one of the things at the forefront of my mind because I think when Novak gives you some advice, you follow it.”

Asked what advice he gave her, Jovic replied: “It was just to open up the court a little bit better, to not rush into the shots all the time, find some more width.

“So I tried to do that, and it ended well. So I’m just going to try to keep listening to Novak.”

While Jovic is American, her father is from Serbia and her mother from Croatia.

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She is still closely connected to her roots, visiting Serbia annually, both the capital of Belgrade and the southern town of Leskovac, where she has extended family.

It makes the link to Novak Djokovic a natural one, but also one Jovic finds “pretty insane”.

“You always think about those moments where you’re going to meet your idols a little bit, and I think sometimes for certain people it can be a little bit deflating if they are maybe not as nice or as open as you anticipated,” she said.

“But he’s almost even kinder and even more attentive outside the cameras than what he’s portrayed. It was amazing.

“I mean, he’s so intelligent and smart and really wants to help the younger generation. So I’m really grateful to have that advice.

“Hopefully, I’ll speak with him more and listen to his advice. ”

Iva Jovic claimed her maiden title in 2025 at Guadalajara and started the year in sizzling form, making the semi-finals in Auckland and the final at Hobart.

Seeded 29 in Melbourne, she will play Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva on Sunday for a place in the quarter-finals.

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Djokovic begins bid for 25th Grand Slam with efficient win

Novak Djokovic embarked on his latest quest to win a record 25th Grand Slam by easing to an ominous straight-sets victory Monday at the Australian Open.

The Serb dismissed Spain’s Pedro Martinez 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 in two hours and meets Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli in the second round.

It was his landmark 100th Australian Open victory.

“Great to be back once again, definitely my favourite court,” the smiling 38-year-old told Rod Laver Arena.

“Centurion is pretty nice. I always give my best on the court, history-making is a great motivation.”

He added: “I am blessed to be still playing at this level.”

The former world number one raced into a 3-0 first-set lead as Serbian fans serenaded their hero.

Djokovic, now ranked four, pulled out of a warm-up event this month saying he was not physically ready.

His last competitive match was in early November as he attempts to limit the wear and tear on his creaking body.

But he showed no signs of discomfort or rustiness in moving freely around the Melbourne Park hard court to seal the first set with minimum fuss.

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He broke the 71st-ranked Martinez’s serve early in the second set and was hardly troubled on his own serve to take a 2-0 lead.

The third set went much the same way, the only moment of concern for Djokovic fans coming when he stretched out his right hamstring in between games.

Djokovic will need to gatecrash the duopoly of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner if he is to break a tie with Margaret Court and win an all-out record 25th major.

Sinner is the two-time defending Australian Open champion, and along with Alcaraz has dominated the majors in the past two years.

Djokovic has been stuck on 24 major titles since winning the US Open in 2023.

He reached the last four in Melbourne a year ago but retired from the match against Alexander Zverev with an injury.

He did make one slice of history on Monday, his 81st Grand Slam equalling the all-time record men’s singles appearances with old rival Roger Federer and Feliciano Lopez.

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“Some things are beyond my control”: Novak Djokovic hints at early retirement

Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic has recently suggested the possibility of an early retirement, stirring uncertainty about his ambitious dream of playing until the 2028 Olympic Games.

He shared that the physical toll of elite tennis and recurring injuries may cut his career shorter than planned.

It’s worth noting that Djokovic, who captured an elusive Olympic gold in Paris last year, was forced to withdraw from the ATP Finals in Turin due to an ongoing injury, ending his season prematurely.

Djokovic confirmed his withdrawal through social media, expressing disappointment and gratitude to his supporters.

“I was really looking forward to competing in Turin and giving my best, but after today’s final in Athens, I’m sad to share that I need to withdraw due to an ongoing injury. I’m truly sorry to the fans who were hoping to see me play – your support means so much,” he wrote.

The Serb, who recently claimed the ATP 250 title in Athens after defeating Lorenzo Musetti, reflected on his long-term ambitions but acknowledged the growing uncertainty surrounding his future.

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“Since I’ve achieved almost every goal in tennis, I mentioned the 2028 Olympics because I wanted to play for many more years,” Djokovic said.

“But I don’t know – there are some things beyond my control. I’m trying to stay as healthy as possible, both mentally and physically.”

With most major milestones already behind him, Novak Djokovic is reportedly considering a lighter playing schedule to manage his fitness and extend his time on tour.

Whether the 24-time Grand Slam champion will make it to the 2028 Olympics now remains an open question, one that even Djokovic himself seems unsure about.

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Concerned Djokovic eyes fifth Shanghai Masters title

Novak Djokovic said Thursday he was “concerned” about his physical state, but still dispatched Belgium’s Zizou Bergs 6-3, 7-5 to set up a Shanghai Masters semi-final against tournament surprise package Valentin Vacherot.

The 38-year-old Serbian, the highest-ranking player left standing, is getting ever closer to a fifth title in the Chinese financial hub despite struggling throughout the week.

Next in the crosshairs of the 24-time Grand Slam champion is world number 204 Vacherot, a qualifier from Monaco who battled back from a set down to stun Holger Rune 2-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4.

“I’m concerned too,” Djokovic said when told his fans were worried about his health, adding there were “issues that I’m trying to address day by day”.

“I don’t want to talk about the details. I’m still in the tournament. So I prefer just focusing on recovery and trying to give it all.”

Djokovic broke in the sixth game after an unforced error from the 44th-ranked Bergs.

But just days after he overcame exhaustion, vomiting, and an injury scare in his last match against Spain’s Jaume Munar, he looked tired and overheated.

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“There’s always something happening with the body, pretty much every match that I play right now,” Djokovic said wryly.

He took a puff from an inhaler during a break in play as his team anxiously looked on, but took the first set.

Djokovic broke for a 5-4 lead in the second set, but Bergs broke back after a series of thrilling rallies that drew screams from the crowd.

The umpire had to ask the spectators for quiet multiple times as fans chanted furiously for Djokovic, waving Serbian flags and signs reading “Novak is the GOAT” (greatest of all time).

When Djokovic broke again for a 6-5 lead, the stadium erupted.

Bergs still would not lie down, saving two match points and creating another break point of his own, but Djokovic finally got over the line when the Belgian went long.

“I’ve been struggling quite a bit with energy levels, and just every opportunity that I get, the crowd feels it… I can hear that noise and that energy drives me,” Djokovic said.

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