Novak Djokovic has always made it clear that his primary goal for 2024 was to clinch the gold medal at the Paris Olympics—and he achieved this dream in stunning fashion, even on Carlos Alcaraz’s favored surface. The former world number one, who claimed three Majors last year, didn’t quite shine in the Grand Slam tournaments this season, reaching only one final at Wimbledon, where he faced a crushing defeat by Alcaraz on Centre Court.

At 37, the Belgrade native is beginning to feel the effects of age, experiencing several painful losses in recent months, including a semifinal defeat to Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open while vying for his 11th title. However, after undergoing knee surgery in the spring, Djokovic delivered an extraordinary performance at the Olympics, solidifying his status as a modern sports legend. Not only did he win the Olympic tournament in August, but he also accomplished the remarkable feat of not losing a single set throughout the event in Paris.

Djokovic entered the US Open with high hopes but was unexpectedly upset by Australian ace Alexei Popyrin in the third round, failing to defend his title from 2023. As a result, he has dropped several spots in the ATP rankings and will need a strong finish to the season to secure a place in the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin.

What’s next for Nole?

Many fans, former players and insiders wonder if Novak will win a Grand Slam title again next year when he turns 38. In a recent interview with SportKlub, former American star Lindsay Davenport opened up on Nole’s season: “Of course I’m surprised he lost so early in New York, but in a weird way, I’m happy for him. After all he’s done, it hasn’t been easy for him to play another major tournament since mid-May.

I really want him to rest well, to play whatever and however he wants until the end of the season. We keep forgetting that Novak is 37 years old, that he has been on tour for 20 years. He knows and feels it best. He needs time to enjoy, celebrate and then get ready for Australia. I believe that next year he can take two or three Grand Slams.”

WTA legend Martina Navratilova also discussed Novak’s current status: “He got what he really wanted, which was the Olympic gold medal, but he still wants the 25th Grand Slam, because then he’s one more than Margaret Court. The end of his time will catch up with him… and it may already be a little bit, because he wasn’t really himself in that last match,” she said. “It depends on whether the fire is still burning. If it’s still burning, I’m never going to say to him ‘you shouldn’t play’ , because it’s never going to tarnish his legacy. He’s ridiculously good. I’m sure his wife is saying, ‘It’s time to hang him up, how many more of these do you need?'”

An uncertain future

The former world number 1 has shown some cracks this year and his motivation may not be at the top after winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, finally completing the puzzle. Djokovic has confided that he wants to play for many more years and has also put in the sights the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, but next year will be decisive to understand his intentions.

At a recent Eurosport event, tennis legend John McEnroe shared his thoughts on Novak Djokovic’s future: “It’s tough to predict what we can expect from him next year. You never want to count him out, but for the first time, we might wonder if his days of winning majors are behind him. He has his family to consider, and motivation is key—how long can he stay driven? I’m honestly amazed he’s maintained this level for so long. Whether he wins more majors or not, he did take three of the four last year, and now we’re speculating that he might never add to that tally. Given his age, I’d be somewhat surprised if he does win more; eventually, that catches up to you.”

Djokovic’s recent loss to Popyrin stings, especially since he arrived at the tournament as the defending champion—a title he has celebrated multiple times. It’s important to note that his primary focus this season was the Olympics, which he triumphed in just a month ago. Now, at 37, having achieved everything in the sport, Djokovic faces a pivotal moment in his career. As Navratilova pointed out recently, he must now determine what path to take moving forward.