Novak Djokovic retirement timeline predicted as tennis legend's message speaks volumes

Tennis great Novak Djokovic could be hanging up his racket after the 2026 Australian Open, according to former world No. 1 doubles player Rennae Stubbs. The Serbian superstar, who holds a men's record-breaking 24 Grand Slam singles titles, has been widely hailed as the greatest player in tennis history.

However, Djokovic hasn't clinched a Grand Slam since his victory at the 2023 US Open. Despite reaching the semi-finals of all four major tournaments this year, he's had a run of bad luck - retiring hurt against Alexander Zverev in Australia and suffering straight-set defeats to Jannik Sinner at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, and Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open.

The tennis legend, who turns 39 next year, has candidly confessed that he'll struggle to outplay current world No. 1 and No.2 Alcaraz and Sinner in the latter stages of Grand Slam tournaments. He's also battled with physical issues throughout 2025.

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And Stubbs believes that Djokovic might decide to call it quits after January's Aussie Open, where he's previously won an open record ten titles.

"I feel like the Australian Open is going to be his last major tournament to play," she revealed on GB News. "I don't think he wants to keep playing after that and have to go through the French Open.

"He is so good on every surface but I can't see him beating these guys over five sets on clay and then to go to Wimbledon again.

"I feel like the Australian Open would be a great way to finish his career. It's where his Grand Slam titles started."

Djokovic is currently battling for a record-breaking fifth Shanghai Masters title. The tennis ace expressed his joy after defeating Croatia's Marin Cilic in his first match, posting on Instagram: "It's good to be back," alongside a snap of him celebrating.

He's set to face Germany's Yannick Hanfmann next at around 11:30am UK time on Sunday.

In a pre-tournament press conference, the 2024 Olympic gold medallist said: "I'm working hard because I still want to compete head-to-head with Carlos and Jannik in Grand Slams. If you're not 100% physically against them, your entire game suffers.

"I know it's difficult to beat them in best-of-five sets because I'm not as fresh as they are for our matches. It's a reality I have to accept. I think Masters 1000s are where I have the best chance of winning a major title.

"Aside from the losses to them, I think I've played good tennis and reaching the semi-finals of every Grand Slam gives an idea of the consistency of my tennis. In any case, I'm a very winning person and I've experienced the most in this sport, so I want more."