Novak Djokovic’s pursuit of a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title has become one of the most compelling storylines in modern tennis. While the Serbian legend remains one of the sport’s most resilient competitors, recent seasons have shown that the final step toward history is proving increasingly difficult.
Former world No. 4 Tim Henman has offered a clear-eyed assessment of why Djokovic’s path to another major crown is now more complicated than ever.
A historic peak followed by a tough stretch
Djokovic last lifted a Grand Slam trophy at the 2023 US Open, where he defeated Daniil Medvedev in straight sets to secure his 24th major title. Since that triumph, however, the margins have shifted. He has reached the latter stages of majors consistently but has fallen short, losing one final and five semifinals at Grand Slam level.
A defining trend has emerged in those defeats. The majority have come against Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, two players widely viewed as the new standard-bearers of men’s tennis. Their rise has coincided with Novak Djokovic’s gradual decline in physical recovery, a reality that even a champion of his pedigree cannot escape.
Henman on the Sinner-Alcaraz roadblock
Henman believes Djokovic still has the quality to contend deep into majors, but the dynamics at the top of the men’s game have changed. Speaking on The Tennis, the former British star explained that Djokovic’s chances increasingly depend on outside factors.
“He could make another Grand Slam final, but I think he relies on someone else beating [Carlos] Alcaraz or [Jannik] Sinner,” Henman said.
The issue, according to Henman, is not Novak Djokovic’s skill level but the draw and the physical toll of facing elite younger opponents across two weeks.
“It will be interesting to see what happens with his ranking, his seeding, whether he has to play one of those, Alcaraz or Sinner, in the quarters, or if he is protected and would play them in the semis,” he added.
The physical reality of time
Henman also pointed to the unavoidable impact of age, particularly in best-of-five-set matches.
“But I just think it’s the physicality, the recovery when you get older, it certainly doesn’t get any easier,” he said.
The challenge is magnified by the rapid improvement of Djokovic’s main rivals.
“The scary thing is that Alcaraz and Sinner are getting better, given they’re 14 years younger. It’s a scary thought.”
For Novak Djokovic, the quest for a 25th Grand Slam is no longer just about brilliance or belief. It is about navigating an era defined by younger, faster, and increasingly dominant rivals, while managing the physical demands of a body that has already given the sport everything.