Missing out on a 25th Grand Slam, Djokovic’s somber remarks on the podium spark fan speculation: maybe he truly wants to retire

In the 2026 Australian Open men’s singles final, world No.1 Alcaraz staged a comeback to beat Serbian star Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5, earning his first Australian Open championship and achieving the career Grand Slam.

However, Djokovic’s post-match comments drew significant attention from fans. After briefly composing himself and graciously congratulating Alcaraz, his tone shifted to seriousness as he said:

“Before the match, I prepared both a victory speech and a concession speech. Allow me a moment to gather my thoughts. Alright, I’ll keep it brief and serious now—this moment belongs to Carlos. Lastly, I want to say that especially over the past few matches, the love, support, and encouragement you’ve shown me is something I’ve never felt in Australia before. Over the years, I’ve always tried to repay you with great tennis. By my count, this is probably my twenty-first or maybe twenty-second time competing in Australia. Honestly, I’ve always believed in myself. On a stage of this caliber, facing a top player like Carlos, that confidence is essential—especially during these last three days of competition.”

But the most crucial part came next, when Djokovic admitted, “I have to be honest, I never imagined I’d stand on a Grand Slam final court again. So I also want to thank all of you—these past weeks, you’ve pushed me forward. Only God knows what tomorrow holds, let alone six months or a year from now. This journey has been incredibly beautiful, and I love you all.”

This final statement sparked much speculation online. Many fans noted that Djokovic did not say “see you next year,” leading some to wonder if he might decide to retire this year. Others felt this match may have broken his fighting spirit, as realistically, to win a 25th Grand Slam, he would need to overcome both Sinner and Alcaraz, which seems impossible at his current age—explaining his emotional words.

In response, former British tennis star Greg Rusedski analyzed before the Australian Open final that Djokovic would not retire because of this result: “I don’t think retirement is on his mind. He just wants to win one more Grand Slam.”

Rusedski also pointed out that Djokovic remains competitive, especially on surfaces like Wimbledon: “If he can win the Australian Open, why not Wimbledon?” He believes Djokovic still “has fuel left in the tank.”

Tennis legend Vilander also expressed that Djokovic will not retire, and certainly not because of this single loss. In an interview, he stated, “I even think he doesn’t need to win that 25th Grand Slam because he is already the greatest player in history.”

Djokovic’s post-match remarks quickly spread on social media, with some fans viewing them as an emotional release after defeat: “Don’t overanalyze it; he just lost the final and is obviously disappointed. I believe he will come back—remember, he’s the toughest competitor ever.” Others said, “He was already a legend the moment he stepped on the court. He doesn’t need to prove himself, nor does he need 25 titles to prove his greatness. Whenever he decides to stop, the most important thing is that he still enjoys and loves tennis. As fans, we will understand whatever decision he makes.”

After the Australian Open final, Djokovic posted a photo on social media showing his silhouette at dusk on the Melbourne Park court, without any caption.

Tennis journalist Ben Rosenberg commented, “A great athlete with 24 Grand Slam titles has the right to choose when to leave. But even greater is that at 38 years old, he still has the courage to compete alongside the younger generation on the same court.”

So how do you interpret Djokovic’s words? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)