“Of course [the] journey is still not over,” Novak Djokovic said two years ago before Wimbledon, a quiet defiance to his father Srdjan’s belief that “I think for some time that he should have stopped working this extremely difficult job.” Contradictory? Perhaps. Since then, Djokovic has claimed Olympic gold, a US Open crown, the ATP Finals, and a Masters title in Paris. Still, that elusive 25th Slam remains missing. Now, after withdrawing from the Six Kings Slam, critics whisper of retirement, but Tim Henman fired back, insisting Djokovic has earned the right to play as long as he chooses.

On October 17, in an interview with Tennis 365, former British No.1 Tim Henman offered a measured take on Novak Djokovic’s current situation. “He made four Grand Slam semi-finals this year and that is a phenomenal achievement, but when you have played five matches to get there and then you are coming up against these youngsters who are at the peak of their powers, he’s not been able to come up with the solutions,” Henman noted. 

Yet Henman’s tone quickly shifted to reverence towards Djokovic. “What I always say about these great players is they should play as long as they want. They have earned the right to play as long as they want. If they are enjoying it, keep playing. It’s the best job in the world. You are a long time retired,” he added. 

Looking forward, Henman shared curiosity about what lies ahead for Djokovic. “It will be interesting to see how Djokovic approaches 2026, what his schedule is like and his level of play,” he said, before reflecting on his own decision to step away. “Everybody’s journey is different. I can only reflect on why I stopped and I had the US Open in front of me and then the Davis Cup at home. I made the decision in about 24 hours and I had eight weeks ahead of me, finishing off at Wimbledon (in the Davis Cup).” For Henman, retirement was a personal choice, sudden but certain. For Djokovic, it seems more like a distant thought rather than an approaching reality.

However, one undeniable shadow looms over Djokovic’s late career, his recurring physical battles. During the Shanghai Masters, the world No.5 visibly struggled, falling ill on court during both his third-round victory over Yannick Hanfmann and his last-16 clash with Jaume Munar.

Against Munar, things took a worrying turn. Djokovic appeared to strain his left leg early in the match, and after dropping the second set, he collapsed onto the court, lying motionless before doctors rushed to his side. It was a rare sight, a titan of resilience momentarily overcome by his own body.

After his quarter-final win over Zizou Bergs, Djokovic addressed the issue with trademark candor. “My leg was good. There’s always something happening with the body pretty much every match that I play right now. There’s some other issues that I’m trying to address day by day,” he admitted. The words carried fatigue, yet also the unmistakable will of a fighter refusing to surrender.

Even when forced to withdraw from the Six Kings Slam exhibition match against Taylor Fritz, Djokovic’s instinct was to apologize, not retreat. “I want to apologize to everybody, sorry guys, I’m sorry you couldn’t see the second set,” he said, adding, “But credit to Taylor, I mean, we had some incredible games towards the end of that set, and it was one of the longest sets I’ve ever played, to be honest. It was amazing to be in Riyadh once again. I want to thank everybody for really welcoming me here. This is the third time I have been here in three years, and hopefully, if I keep on going next year, I’ll be back, if you guys want me here.” His words spoke not of an athlete fading away, but of one still chasing fire.

For all the speculation swirling around his future, Djokovic’s hunger still burns fierce. Injuries may test him, critics may question him, but his spirit remains unyielding. 

Novak Djokovic opened up about his thoughts on retirement

Novak Djokovic has long been chasing history, one more Grand Slam to move clear of Australia’s Margaret Court for the most major singles titles of all time. Yet, his last triumph came at the 2023 US Open, when he was 36.

Since then, every tournament exit has sparked questions about his future. But the Serbian legend remains unmoved. Retirement, he insists, is not on the horizon. Instead, Djokovic draws fire from those who have conquered time in other sports.

Speaking at the Joy Forum in Riyadh, he declared, “Longevity is one of my biggest motivations. I really want to see how far I can go. If you see across all the global sports, Lebron James he is still going strong, he is 40, Cristiano Ronaldo, Tom Brady played until he was 40-something years old, it is unbelievable.”

His voice carried both conviction and wonder, an athlete still hungry, still restless for greatness. “They are inspiring me,” he added. “In the next couple of years tennis is a sport that can be greatly transformed and I want to be part of that change. I want to be playing when we rejuvenate our sport and set the new platform that is going to go on for decades to come.”

For Djokovic, it’s not merely about chasing records; it’s about redefining legacy. His drive stretches beyond silverware; it reaches into the soul of the sport itself.

As the 2025 season nears its end, the question lingers in the air: Will the Serbian icon seize that elusive 25th Slam? 

The storm still brews, and perhaps, it’s now or never!