Djokovic Rejects Retirement Rumors After US Open Loss, Sets Sights on 2026 Majors

Novak Djokovic brushed aside talks of retirement following his US Open 2025 exit at the hands of Carlos Alcaraz. The 38-year-old Serb fell short in straight sets at Arthur Ashe Stadium, extending his hunt for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.

Despite being outplayed for most of the contest, Djokovic showed glimpses of his brilliance in the second set, where he briefly led 3-0. Speculation around his future intensified soon after the loss, but Djokovic clarified that he still has his eyes set on playing the majors in 2026.

US Open 2025 semi-finals Updates

While acknowledging the physical challenges of best-of-five encounters, he emphasised that the Grand Slams remain the ultimate stage for him. Djokovic also noted that shorter formats and Masters tournaments may favour him more in the coming years, but he insisted that his hunger for competing at the highest level remains strong and far from over.

“We’ll see. I have to address that with my team. After this Grand Slam season, the feeling is definitely there—not to say I’ll skip Grand Slams. I still want to play a full Grand Slam season next year, but whether that happens, we’ll see. Slams are special. They’re different from any other tournament, the pillars of our sport and the most important events we have,” Djokovic said in the post-match press conference.

“That said, I do feel my chances are better in best-of-three matches—in one-week tournaments or at the Masters, where you have almost two weeks with more rest days between matches. That setup might serve me better in these matchups,” Djokovic added.

‘I ran out of gas’

Djokovic reached the semi-finals of all four Grand Slams this year but failed to progress to a single final. He retired midway through his clash with Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open, before falling to Jannik Sinner at both the French Open and Wimbledon. At the US Open, he bowed out against Carlos Alcaraz at Flushing Meadows. Djokovic praised both Sinner and Alcaraz, admitting that he ran out of steam after the second set of his semi-final in New York.

“I think you’re right. I’ve lost three out of four Grand Slam semifinals against these guys, and they’re just playing at such a high level. After the second set, I ran out of gas. I had enough energy to battle and keep up with his rhythm for two sets, but after that, I was spent, and he just kept going.

“I’ve felt the same this year against Jannik as well. Best-of-five matches make it very difficult for me, especially in the later stages of a Grand Slam,” Djokovic added.