At 38 and a half years, Novak Djokovic remains a threat at notable events. The Serb will wrap up the season in the top-4 following a stellar ride at Majors, especially considering his age.
As the veteran approaches his 39th birthday next spring, he offered a candid reflection on the sport's new balance of power in men's tennis. Djokovic has been at the top for nearly two decades.
However, he openly acknowledged that Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have raised the standard to a level even he struggles to match in the previous two years.
The 24-time Major admitted that the physical wear and tear of two decades on the Tour is real. Thus, the consistency of the younger generation makes his quest for another Major title very difficult.
However, despite achieving everything our sport has to offer and conceding ground to his successors, Djokovic's competitive flame remains as bright as ever. Without that, he would have already retired.
For the Serb, belief is a lifelong habit. Despite recognizing the current greatness and higher peakof Sinner and Alcaraz,the 38-year-old still enters every match with the same mindset that has defined his career.
Novak still believes he can beat anyone, anywhere and at any time! With his recent remarks, the Belgrade native blends humility and defiance. He is a champion ware that time is catching up.
Yet, he remains unwilling to let it dictate his goals and limits. The tennis world is shifting toward a new era, with Carlos and Jannik conquering the previous eight Major titles.
Still, Djokovic remains the bridge and the living reminder that greatness is not only measured in trophies but in the refusal to stop believing. The veteran will finish the season in the top-4 following his 101st ATP title in Athens.
Novak decided to skip the ATP Finals for the second straight year, focusing on recovery ahead of another strong push in 2026. For him, the age is just a number, and he wants to prove that again.
"I'm aware that if you put their best level against my current one, they are better than me. That's the reality. Throughout my career, I have always worked to be able to achieve the impossible.
At the same time, I'm almost 39, and the wear and tear is very real. I have many more doubts about being able to win another Major, especially because of Jannik and Carlos.
However, as long as I'm playing, when I step onto the court, I do not care who is on the other side - I still believe I'm the best and capable of beating anyone," Novak Djokovic said.
