Can Novak Djokovic Add to His Record Grand Slam Title Tally?

  

A picture taken during the Stars of the Open evening at last year's US Open, August, 2024. Novak Djokovic - the tall guy wearing a light blue shirt in the far corner of the tennis court - was being introduced to the crowd. Also on the court are Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, and Carlos Alcaraz.

It was strange watching the semifinal match between world number one Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic, the most decorated and accomplished man in the history of the sport.

Djokovic looked like his legs were bothering him. He sustained an injury earlier in the tournament, but it clearly slowed him down during this semifinal match against Sinner, who showed no mercy. 

Really, it does not feel like long ago when Djokovic was the one dominated the sport, and mercilessly bullied opponents on the tennis court.

Now, here he was, desperately trying to stay in the match. Seemingly trying to remain relevant, it seemed to me.

Remembering where he was in the sport not all that long ago, it was almost painful to watch him moving slowly and gingerly, clearly nowhere near his best. He was clearly hampered by an injury, and was unable to lift off to another level, like he so frequently used to do. In fact, he did it so frequently that we got used to it, came to expect it. Likely took it for granted.

Which is why it was sobering to see him so vulnerable and unable to come up with any real answers during this match. 

Even after the match ended, he mentioned how he takes good care of his body, yet aging is obviously becoming a factor. At 38, his body seems more vulnerable to sustaining injuries. Also, those injuries are taking more of a toll on his game, and he seems unable to recover as quickly as perhaps he might have done in the past.

So the question on everyone's mind is whether or not it's time to quit. Djokovic admitted that his body is really feeling it during these longer tournaments. There is an increased chance of injury. And while he still manages to play at an elite level, reaching the semifinal, it always seems that he then has to deal with either Sinner or Alcaraz, the two top dogs on the men's side in recent years. 

It's strange, because in some respects, Djokovic is quite close to reaching a final, and possibly winning that elusive 25th career Grand Slam. Yet, it's the consistency with which he fails to reach that, regardless of how close he gets, which is new in Djokovic's career. Remember, this guy used to qualify for three or sometimes four Grand Slam finals each year. And he could almost be counted on to win two or three during many years.

Now, he feels like a shadow of the dominant figure of the sport which he has been in the past.

For now, he will continue. He said that this would not be his curtain call at Wimbledon.

So presumably, he will be back in the near future.

And you never know. He may yet raise a Grand Slam trophy again for a record 25th time. He certainly has made a career of surpassing people's expectations of him. Let's not forget that the victory which he himself described as the greatest accomplishment of his career - winning Olympic gold in Paris - occurred less than a year ago. So it hardly feels impossible.

That said, however, it certainly is new to see him being pushed around so easily and decisively like he has been in recent matches against both Sinner and Alcaraz.