Novak Djokovic's future decided as Serb told to retire with immediate effect

Novak Djokovic crashed out in the first round of the US Open (Image: Getty)

Novak Djokovic’s dream of winning a 25th Grand Slam title continues to slip through his fingers with each passing year. Having started the year coming closer than he’d done to No.25 since Wimbledon in 2024, the Serb has been unable to replicate his run to the final of the Australian Open in either of the three Slams since.

But the manner in which he succumbed to a first-round defeat at this year’s US Open - just his third in Slam history and first-ever at Flushing Meadows - set the alarm bells ringing. The tennis ace, once imperious, now fallible, was brought to tears after the loss, with many suggesting the end is nigh for Djokovic.

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And in the wake of his loss to Mariano Navone, Djokovic has been told to hang up his racket and drop the pursuit of a 25th Slam title. That’s according to the Express Sport readers, who voted overwhelmingly in favour of Djokovic calling time on his illustrious career.

Of the 3000-plus readers who voted in our poll, a whopping 81 per cent of readers said his day had come, and it was time to quit professional tennis for good. There still is a minority of people who want to see him stick at it, with just under one in every five voters urging him to push forward into 2027 and give it another go.

But it does feel as if that ship might’ve sailed. Djokovic heavily stripped down his schedule for the 2026 season, prioritising the Slams, and even sitting out several high-profile Masters 1000 events as well.

While a final appearance in Melbourne and a run to the semi-final at Wimbledon shouldn’t be downplayed, not least considering Djokovic turned 39 midway through the campaign. It’s unlikely the Belgrade-born star will get a better opportunity, given Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz’s injury woes this term.

Novak Djokovic's mortality is catching up to him (Image: Getty)

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And it’s not exactly like he’s been enjoying himself either. After the first-round loss at the US Open, Djokovic revealed he ‘despised’ every moment of the match. He remarked: “I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me.

“It’s something that I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year. You know, vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there. Then my whole body, you know, starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain. Yeah, the back just gave up in the end and shoulder, and I couldn’t close it out? Can the issue be fixed? I don’t know. I’m trying, man. I’m trying. Let’s see.”