Novak Djokovic was finally able to reach a Grand Slam final for the first time in two years, but his chase for an 11th Australian Open and 25th major title is not over. Djokovic ended the five-game losing streak against Jannik Sinner in the semifinals but lost against Carlos Alcaraz in the final at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park.
Many are wondering if this was the last year Djokovic played in Melbourne in his legendary career. Given that he’s 38 years old and has continuously come up short against the likes of young players Sinner and Alcaraz, a retirement could be on the horizon.
Former five-time Grand Slam champion Paul McNamee wonders what the Serb would have said had he won against Alcaraz in the 2026 Australian Open final. McNamee predicts Djokovic might have played his last Australian Open of his career.
“I’m curious what Novak’s speech would have been if he won (he said on court that it was very different),” McNamee wrote on X. “I suspect he would have retired on the spot. Now he presses on to the other Slams, but I somehow doubt we’ll ever see him play in Australia again. What a player🙏”
Novak Djokovic Lauds Carlos Alcaraz Upon Becoming Youngest Person to Complete Career Slam
After winning the 2026 Australian Open, Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest person to complete a Career Slam at just 22 years old. The Serb was defeated in four sets as Alcaraz came back in style after losing the first set, 6-2.
In his runner-up speech, Djokovic heaped praises on the Spaniard, who has now already won seven Grand Slams.
“What you’ve been doing, the best words to describe it is historic, legendary,” he said. “You’re so young, you have a lot of time, like myself I’m sure we’ll be seeing each other many more times in the next 10 years … not!”
Djokovic agrees Alcaraz is one of the best players he has faced in his career.
“He definitely is one of the best players I’ve ever faced in my career,” Djokovic said. “He makes you play your best tennis in order to beat him; it’s what I’ve done for, like, a set and a half, but then things changed, and he deserved to win.”
“He’s a very smart, all-around player that obviously changes tactics and adjusts his game depending on how he feels the opponent is playing, so I knew that he’s going to switch things around and he’s going to raise his level,” Djokovic added.
Djokovic expressed gratitude to the fans in Melbourne but didn’t leave any tips if he would return to the Australian Open next year.
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