At 38 years of age, retirement looms large for 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.
The Serbian star is now one of the oldest players ranked inside the world’s top 100, alongside the likes of Gael Monfils (39), Roberto Bautista Agut (37), and Marin Cilic (36).
That hasn’t stopped him from enjoying success on the ATP Tour in 2025, however, as Djokovic qualified for the semifinals of all four Grand Slams.
He also won his 100th career title when Djokovic defeated Hubert Hurkacz in the final of the Geneva Open.
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That success hasn’t stopped fans questioning when he will retire, as tennis legend Bjorn Borg now weighs in on the debate.
Bjorn Borg wants Novak Djokovic to play ‘at least’ another year before retiring
Speaking to Sky Sports, Borg had this to say about Djokovic’s tennis future.
“He is 38 years old, it’s going to be tough with [Jannik] Sinner and [Carlos] Alcaraz and some other players too, but still, he can do it,” said Borg.
“I hope he has the motivation to play at least another year.”
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Still one of the best players in the men’s game, at 38, Djokovic only lost to players ranked inside the world’s top three at Grand Slams in 2025.
DefeatOpponentOpponent’s rank thenOpponent’s rank now2025 Australian Open – SFAlexander Zverev2nd3rd2025 French Open – SFJannik Sinner1st2nd2025 Wimbledon – SFJannik Sinner1st2nd2025 US Open – SFCarlos Alcaraz2nd1stNovak Djokovic’s 2025 Grand Slam defeats
On the topic of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, Borg highlighted how important the pair are to tennis as a sport.
“The rivalry with [Novak] Djokovic, [Roger] Federer, and [Rafael] Nadal, unbelievable matches. Then they said, when they stepped away, What is going to happen with tennis today?” said Borg.
“Now you have these two great players, Sinner and Alcaraz; the matches they play are unbelievable, the tennis they play is unbelievable. It’s so great for tennis as a sport.”
The world number one and two look set to dominate the sport for years, just as Djokovic and his ‘big three’ rivals did before them.
Winning more Grand Slam titles than Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, Djokovic is many fans’ pick in the ‘G.O.A.T.’ debate, Borg included.
“Djokovic, for me, is the greatest player to have ever played the game, and then the second place is Federer and Nadal, they’re tied,” he said.
It’s tough to argue against Borg, given the success he has enjoyed over the years.
Novak Djokovic’s career achievements
The Serb’s Grand Slam success has been well documented, but that’s not the only tournament he’s dominated during his career.
Djokovic has won 100 titles in total, emerging victorious at every ‘big’ tournament at least once.
Novak Djokovic’s record at ‘big tournaments’ (Grand Slams, Masters 1000, ATP Finals, Olympics)Australian Open – 10 titlesFrench Open – 3 titlesWimbledon – 7 titlesUS Open – 4 titlesATP Finals – 7 titlesOlympics – 1 titleIndian Wells – 5 titlesMiami Open – 6 titlesMonte-Carlo Masters – 2 titlesMadrid Open – 3 titlesItalian Open – 6 titlesCanadian Open – 4 titlesCincinnati Open – 3 titlesShanghai Masters – 4 titlesParis Masters – 7 titles
He may well have a chance to add to his tally at the ATP Finals later this year, as he sits third in the ‘Live ATP Race to Turin’.
RankNameCountryPointsStatus1Carlos AlcarazSpain10,540Qualified2Jannik SinnerItaly7,950Qualified3Novak DjokovicSerbia4,180Currently qualifying4Alexander ZverevGermany4,180Currently qualifying5Ben SheltonUSA3,710Currently qualifying6Taylor FritzUSA3,465Currently qualifying7Lorenzo MusettiItaly3,235Currently qualifying8Alex de MinaurAustralia3,145Currently qualifying9Jack DraperGreat Britain2,990Injured (Won’t play again in 2025)10Felix Auger-AliassimeCanada2,705Not currently qualifyingTop ten in the ‘Live ATP Race to Turin’
Djokovic is a record seven-time ATP Finals champion, but chose not to appear at the event in 2024, despite qualifying.
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Only time will tell if he chooses to do the same in 2025, but it will certainly be something to keep an eye on.
The 2025 ATP Finals are scheduled to begin on Sunday, November 9, in Turin, Italy.