For years the question about Novak Djokovic was not whether he would win a 25th major, but when. One of the sport’s most respected voices no longer sees it that way.

“Up until this year I thought it could have happened at any time but now I have real doubts if the 25th can happen. Can he win any more titles?” Flink told a tennis podcast hosted by analyst Gross, in comments reported on 21 September 2026.

Flink, a Hall of Fame tennis writer who has covered the men’s tour for more than five decades, spoke after watching Djokovic slide out of the US Open in the first round.

The New York collapse behind the verdict

On 30 August 2026 the 39-year-old lost in five sets to Argentina’s Mariano Navone, 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1. It was his first opening-round defeat at a Grand Slam in two decades, and the physical picture was grim: he vomited on court, took a medical timeout for a back massage between the fourth and fifth sets and finished with 70 unforced errors.

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“It’s something that I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year: vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there,” Djokovic said afterwards.

“I didn’t enjoy myself. I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me.”

That is the pattern Flink cannot get past. The stomach issue in humid conditions has recurred through 2026, and Djokovic is now ranked No. 12, his lowest position since 2017. He has won only three titles since the start of 2024.

Zverev, Sinner and a generation Djokovic has stopped beating in Slams

The Slam ledger for 2026 has moved on without him. Alexander Zverev beat Ben Shelton 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 6-2 to win the US Open on 13 September, his second major of the year after Roland Garros. Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz continue to trade the other trophies. Djokovic has not won a Grand Slam since the 2023 US Open.

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China Open return after 11 years

The counter-argument is that Djokovic is not walking away. On 16 September he confirmed he will play the China Open in Beijing from 30 September to 6 October, his first appearance at the ATP 500 event in 11 years and a tournament where he has won six times and never lost a final.

“I’m very happy to announce that I’m coming back after many years to play in Beijing at the China Open,” Djokovic wrote on Instagram.

He arrives in the Chinese capital as world No. 12 and needing ranking points to keep his top-eight seeding hopes alive for the 2027 Australian Open, which begins on 18 January.

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