Novak Djokovic continues to defy age and expectation on the ATP Tour. At 38, the Serbian great opened his 2026 season with a run to the Australian Open final, where he defeated reigning champion Jannik Sinner before falling to Carlos Alcaraz.
The loss did little to diminish Djokovic’s presence, as Alcaraz went on to become the youngest player in history to complete the Career Grand Slam.
Despite another deep run in Melbourne, Djokovic sparked speculation about his future during his runner-up speech, later admitting uncertainty over whether he would return to the Australian Open again.
With retirement talk resurfacing, attention has shifted to how long the 24-time Grand Slam champion intends to continue.
Los Angeles Olympics remain a long-term target
Novak Djokovic has previously expressed a desire to play until the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, a goal that would see him competing at 41. Speaking to Corriere TV during a visit to Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics, Djokovic was asked whether that ambition still remains.
“It’s a long way off, yes. At this point in my life and career, it’s a long way off, but it’s clear I have the desire to get there,” Djokovic said.
Addressing the challenge of keeping pace with the next generation, he added: “You have to [keep up with the young stars], and in any case, you have to remember that you are young.”
Novak Djokovic reflects on Olympic experience in Italy
While his focus remains on tennis, Djokovic also embraced the Olympic atmosphere in Italy, attending the opening ceremony of the Winter Games for the first time.
“It’s always great to be in Italy. Obviously, Italy is a sporting country,” he said. “We expected a spectacle, and we saw it. It was my first time at a Winter Olympics opening ceremony, and it was a great feeling. I’m very happy to have had this experience with my family.”
Though questions remain about his exact timeline, Novak Djokovic’s comments suggest his competitive fire is far from extinguished—and that the Los Angeles Olympics are still firmly on his radar.