Tennis legend Martina Navratilova has warned Novak Djokovic that Father Time is already starting to catch up to him after the Serb’s early exit at the 2024 US Open.
The former world No 1 does not feel Djokovic will ever tarnish his “ridiculously good” legacy by continuing to play, but admitted she would retire if she were in his position.
Djokovic suffered a shock four-set third round defeat to world No 28 Alexei Popyrin at the US Open — his earliest loss at a Grand Slam since the 2017 Australian Open.
The 37-year-old tennis icon, who was the defending champion at Flushing Meadows, was seeking a record-equalling fifth US Open men’s crown and record-extending 25th major.
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The Serbian won his only title since November last year at the 2024 Paris Olympics in August, where he downed Carlos Alcaraz to claim his first-ever gold medal.
In a Q&A session for Sky Sports Tennis, Navratilova addressed Djokovic’s tennis future following his US Open exit.
He got the one he really wanted, which was the Olympic gold medal, but he also still wants that 25th, because then he has one more than Margaret Court.
“Father Time will catch up to him… and maybe it already is a little bit, because he really wasn’t himself in that last match.
“It depends how much the fire is still burning. If it’s still burning, I’m never going to say ‘you shouldn’t play’, because he’s never going to tarnish his legacy – it’s ridiculously good.
“I’m sure his wife is saying: ‘it’s time to hang it up, how many more of these do you need?’.
“Maybe just one more… but, then again, if he wins the Australian Open, he’s going to want to play Roland Garros and Wimbledon, right? He’s not going to quit then.
“It’s up to him. Either way, you can’t criticise because what a fantastic career. I would probably hang it up but if he loves, it why not?”
Djokovic will make his next appearance in Serbia’s Davis Cup World Group I playoffs tie against Greece, which will be staged in Belgrade from September 14-15.
He will then feature at the Shanghai Masters for the first time since 2019, with the Masters 1000 event due to run from October 2-13.