Novak Djokovic has some big decisions to make after the US Open this year.
Djokovic reached his fourth Grand Slam semifinal of the year at the US Open after wins over the likes of Taylor Fritz, Cameron Norrie and Jan-Lennard Struff.
However, the 38-year-old was unable to take it any further than that, with Djokovic losing to Carlos Alcaraz.
There are now many questions over whether Djokovic can actually win a 25th Grand Slam and how much longer he will continue competing.
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty ImagesRennae Stubbs predicts Novak Djokovic to retire at the Australian Open
After his straight sets defeat to Alcaraz in New York, Djokovic revealed that he still intended to play all four majors in 2026.
However, former doubles world number one Rennae Stubbs does not believe that will be the case, and has predicted the Australian Open to be his final major tournament.
Djokovic is a record 10-time Australian Open champion, and Stubbs suggested it would be the best place for him to say farewell to the sport and his best chance at winning a 25th Grand Slam.
“I feel like the Australian Open is going to be his last major tournament to play,” Stubbs said on her podcast. “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. We know the mercurial side to the Australian Open and what it has meant to him. It has been love or hate, which seems perfect for his career in a lot of ways.
“But it’s the place he’s dominated 10 times and I think he probably feels that’s the one place that maybe he feels he can get the next Slam.
“If he didn’t do it at Wimbledon I don’t think he’s going to wait around another year for it, because he got crushed by Jannik [Sinner]. I think he has incredible support in Australia and he played incredible last year, beating Carlos.
“I think he feels if he can bring that type of tennis again maybe I have a shot and if I don’t it’s probably where he will close the book. I am only guessing but I think it would be the place for him to go out because of the history of the Australian Open.”
Despite Stubbs’ claim, Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley does not think Djokovic has plans to retire soon.
Rennae Stubbs says if she thinks Novak Djokovic should have a statue at the Australian Open
With Djokovic seemingly nearing the end of his career, there are now suggestions about what could be done to commemorate him.
This has already been done for some of his former rivals, with Rafael Nadal having a statue at Roland Garros, and Andy Murray is set to get a statue of his own at Wimbledon.
When discussing what could be done for Djokovic, who has won more Australian Open titles than any other player in the Open Era, Stubbs was hoping the Melbourne major would do the same for him.
“It would be awesome in some respects if the Australian Open did do a statue for him,” added Stubbs. “A ten-time Australian Open champion deserves to have some kind of memorabilia that is on there.
“I don’t think we will see a 10 champion [again]. I think we could see a four, five or six time champion in Alcaraz or Sinner but I don’t know if we are going to have a 10 time one.”
It is currently unclear as to where Djokovic will play between now and the Australian Open, as the Serbian has only confirmed that he will compete at the ATP 250 event in Athens.
Djokovic is currently entered into the Shanghai Masters, but it is not yet clear if he will actually play the tournament.