Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic failed to win a Grand Slam during the 2024 season, and former American player Patrick McEnroe believes this may be the beginning of the road to the Serbian’s retirement.
Although Djokovic is yet to capture an ATP title this season, the former World No.1 won the Olympic gold medal at the Paris Olympics this summer. Additionally, Djokovic has hinted he would be shifting his focus from ATP titles to Grand Slams, as he tries to add to his already impressive list of 24 Grand Slam singles titles.
Talk of Djokovic’s retirement is on the rise
With Djokovic’s long-time rival Rafael Nadal set to retire at the 2024 Davis Cup in Malaga in November, there has been speculation on when Djokovic will hang up his racket. Former US Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe gave his thoughts on the matter, stating the Serbian still has a chance to win more Majors before eventually retiring.
“I think this will be his last year,” said McEnroe on an appearance on The Tennis Channel Inside-In podcast. “It’s gotta be very tough to win more Majors. If the Australian Open starts tomorrow, he is the third favorite. That’s pretty solid. Rafa [Nadal] would have come back. Rafa wanted to play more and so did [Roger] Federer. They certainly didn’t think they had to win but they wanted to [play]. I think Novak would be the same.
“He is obviously still in the mix in a big way. There’s no doubt he can win the Australian Open. He won the Olympics on clay, which was amazing. Yes, he can win 1 or 2 more…Wimbledon obviously. There’s still not that many great grass court players.”
“He is obviously still in the mix in a big way. There’s no doubt he can win the Australian Open. He won the Olympics on clay, which was amazing. Yes, he can win 1 or 2 more…Wimbledon obviously. There’s still not that many great grass court players.”