Sergiy Stakhovsky believes that Novak Djokovic remains a genuine contender for Major glory in 2026. Despite the rise of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the Ukrainian can still picture the Serblifting the 25th Major crown.
Looking at the landscape of men's tennis, the former pro sees the 24-time Major winner as the strongest challenger to the sport's new duopoly, placing him above Alexander Zverev.
The reasoning is simple. Djokovic's 2025 season at Majors was exceptional. At 38, the legend reached all foursemi-finals, proving his eternal class at the sport's most notable events.
Per Stakhovsky, that consistency is evidence that the veteran can still strike when the stage is at its biggest. Withthe Australian Open approaching, Sergiy believes that Novak's incredible record makes him a dangerous opponent for everyone.
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After ten titles Down Under, the Serb keeps his chances alive to go all the way, even in an era powered by younger and stronger rivals who were barely born when the Belgrade native started his professional journey.
At the same time, Stakhovsky acknowledges a shift in the hierarchy in men's tennis. Sinner and Alcaraz have created a level of dominance similar to the Big 3 era, having won every Major title since the start of 2024.
Yet in his view, Djokovic's renewed motivation and ability to adapt to new generations keep him firmly in the conversation for the sport's most prominent trophies and achievements.
Ultimately, Sergiy frames Novak's prospects with one key condition - if his body holds up, the door for that elusive 25th Major title is still open. Considering what he achieved in 2025, it would be premature to count him out.
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Despite a reduced schedule, Djokovic finished the 2025 campaign inside the top-4. He remains eager to challenge the rivals from the top, even in the season when he celebrates his 39th birthday.
"Novak has every chance of winning another Major. I would even say he has a better chance than Alexander Zverev. This year, he reached four semi-finals. I think he can win anywhere.
His excellent statistics in Australia give him plenty of reasons to think about how he will approach this tournament and what will happen. However, a new generation has emerged, different from the one he was used to.
We can see that Novak has rediscovered his motivation over the last year or two, adapting to the new rivals. I think that if his health allows, he has a chance of winning another Major tournament," Sergiy Stakhovsky said.
