Novak Djokovic used a stage at Fanatics Fest in New York this month to say what he has hinted at all year. He still believes he can beat the best. He also thinks he has almost run out of time to prove it.
“I still feel that I can compete at the highest level; however, that moment is closer than ever,” he told the audience in Manhattan.
His stated finish line is Los Angeles 2028. Djokovic has spoken repeatedly of wanting to retire at the Olympic tournament with the Serbian flag in his hands, defending the singles gold he won in Paris in 2024. That would put him at 41 by the time he stops.
Sinner won 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the semi-final
The talk in New York followed his defeat to Sinner in the Wimbledon semi-final on 10 July, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. The Italian broke serve early in every set and never looked back. It was Djokovic’s 55th major semi-final and left him without a Grand Slam title since 2023.
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Asked afterwards about his body, Djokovic pushed back on the idea he had been struggling.
“I was okay, feeling physically fine, maybe not the freshest, obviously, like at the beginning of the tournament, but I was physically all right.”
His schedule has since told a different story. Djokovic withdrew from the National Bank Open in Montreal less than a week before the tournament without giving a reason, joining Sinner in walking away from the Masters 1000 event that runs from 1 to 13 August. Cincinnati, which runs from 13 to 23 August, is his next scheduled outing, and he remains on the US Open entry list, although he has not commented publicly on his plans.
“It comes fast”
At Fanatics Fest, Djokovic circled back to a line from Andre Agassi about how ex-champions arrive at the end.
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“I don’t know when the end is coming for Novak, but I’m sure as hell that, when it comes, it comes fast.”
Djokovic said he agreed with it.
Cincinnati begins on 13 August, followed by the US Open in New York from late August. Djokovic has yet to comment publicly on whether he intends to play either event.
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