Can Novak Djokovic still win a record 25th Grand Slam?

At the age of 39, with 24 Grand Slam singles titles to his name, Novak Djokovic has achieved many more that seemed impossible: equaling Margaret Court’s record of 24 major championships. However, the Serb continues to pursue history and one final Grand Slam title that could further cement his legacy in tennis history.

The one question that is raised in every conversation is: can Djokovic still win a 25th Grand Slam?

Rise of Novak Djokovic

To know Djokovic’s current status, we must first know the scale of his achievements. In 2008, when he was just 20 years old, he won his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, defeating France’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final. At that moment, few could have predicted that he would go on to win 24 major titles over the course of two decades.

In 2009, Djokovic won his second major at the Australian Open and began a period of consistent success across all surfaces: hard courts at the US Open and Australian Open, clay at Roland Garros, and grass at Wimbledon. Between 2011 and 2015, the Serbian tennis star won 12 Grand Slam titles, an average of nearly 2.4 per year. This cemented his place among tennis’s greatest champions.

His most dominant period came in 2015-2016, when he won the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open consecutively— a feat known as the Golden Slam when combined with an Olympic title. This achievement put him among the greatest athletes in modern sports history.

Changing rivalry: Federer and Nadal to Sinner and Alcaraz

For much of his career, Djokovic’s primary competition came from Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, the other two members of tennis’s “Big Three.” Their rivalries shaped the sport for nearly two decades. However, this Big Three had shifted dramatically.

Federer retired in September 2022 and Nadal played his last professional match in November 2024, leaving Djokovic as the last active member of that elite generation. Jannik Sinner, the world number one, and Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time defending Wimbledon champion and reigning Australian Open winner, have shared 10 of the last 12 Grand Slams between them since the start of 2024. Sinner’s combination of power, consistency, and court intelligence has made him the strongest opponent on all surfaces.

Additionally, young sensations like Joao Fonseca have upset victories over Novak at the 2026 tournament. These players are not only younger and physically fresher; they have also grown up studying Djokovic’s methods and learning how to overcome his weaknesses.

Change in 2024-2026 performance

In 2023, Novak Djokovic won his last major at the US Open. The record 24-time Slam champion reached the semi-finals at all four majors in 2025 but was unable to make the next step. This three-year span without a Grand Slam title marks the longest such period in his career, during which he missed the latter part of the year due to injury.

The 2024 season was challenging. With Nadal’s retirement and facing the dominance of Sinner and Alcaraz, Djokovic found himself unable to secure a single Grand Slam title. However, he did claim Olympic gold in Paris as a consolation prize—a historic achievement for any player at 36 years old. It’s not easy for anyone, but this is legend Djokovic.

The 2026 season began with Novak beating Pedro Martinez in the Australian Open first round and reaching the final. However, Carlos Alcaraz defeated him in another five-set epic, denying him a chance at his elusive 25th Grand Slam title.

Physical reality

Djokovic faced a lot of fitness challenges in his professional life, because the physical demands of playing tennis at the highest level require a lot of courage and good health. His 2026 AO final performance for the first two sets was as good as anything he has produced in the last three years and at 39, he is more than most players can produce at 25.

He can play championship-level tennis, but sustaining that level of fitness across five sets—or even three sets on clay against younger opponents—has become increasingly difficult. Recovery time between tournaments is longer. Injuries that might have been minor annoyances in his thirties now linger and affect his preparation.

Such a start to the year was promising, but according to Novak, after Indian Wells, an injury followed, and he entered Roland Garros without matches, which certainly created problems for him. This pattern of managing injuries while trying to maintain competitive fitness has become the defining struggle of his late-career pursuit.

Mental strength and changing expectations

Djokovic has spoken about his mental health in recent years. Rather than viewing this as a hard phase, he said, it might be understood as strategic wisdom.

“I lowered my expectations the last couple of years, which also, I think, allows me to be able to let go of some of that unnecessary additional stress,” Djokovic explained.

“It’s always tension and stress and pressure, and I just don’t want to be overwhelmed by it. “It also feels good a little bit
not being always the main favourite to win Slams.”

By no longer worrying about being the favourite, Djokovic can play more freely and aggressively. The pressure that once helped him perform at his best can now sometimes make things harder for him.

Realistic Pathway

Novak Djokovic’s 25th Grand Slam remains unfinished. His French Open campaign ended in the third round against Joao Fonseca, while Wimbledon offered another opportunity. With Carlos Alcaraz absent due to a wrist injury, Djokovic reached the semifinals but fell to Jannik Sinner in straight sets.

The US Open was another chance on hard courts, a surface where Djokovic has historically excelled. However, his 2026 campaign ultimately extended beyond the Grand Slam stage, leaving the record 25th title still out of reach.

Legacy beyond 25th title

Djokovic’s legacy is not only about winning one more Grand Slam title. With 24 major championships, he is already a tennis legend. At 39, Novak is playing to make history. Moreover, his competitive excellence extends beyond Grand Slams. His ATP rankings, his head-to-head records against rivals, his consistency across decades of competition, and his Olympic gold medal all contribute to a career that places him among the greatest athletes in sports history.

Can he still do it?

The simple truth is that Djokovic can still win his 25th Grand Slam in 2026, but he is no longer the favourite to win a major tournament. He still has a chance, but it will be difficult.

Players like Sinner and Alcaraz, along with young stars like Fonseca, have made tennis more competitive. Djokovic is no longer the clear favourite at Grand Slam tournaments, and this has been the case for the past few years.

Chase for 25th Grand Slam

As of September 2026, the question of whether Novak Djokovic can win a 25th Grand Slam remains unanswered.

Yet he has overcome injuries, rivalries, and the passage of time itself to remain competitive at the highest level into his late thirties. With plans to play until the 2028 LA Olympics, he should never be counted out. The 25th Grand Slam title may come. It may not. But one thing is clear: Novak Djokovic has already secured his place as one of the greatest tennis players in history.

READ: Novak Djokovic apologises after avoiding another major disqualification

Written by Aleena Khan

Aleena is a sports writer at Sports Manch, with a keen interest in cricket and sports journalism. Her work focuses on creative storytelling, feature writing, and SEO content, with an emphasis on producing clear, engaging, and well-researched stories. She is passionate about exploring compelling sports narratives and continues to develop her skills as a versatile and impactful writer.