Nadal delivers a blunt comment on Djokovic's chances of winning his 25th Grand Slam

The window for Djokovic to secure his 25th Major and officially overtake tennis legend Margaret Court is limited.

Rafael Nadal believes Novak Djokovic has few opportunities left to capture his 25th Grand Slam title, but he highlights the persistence and achievements of his old rival at age 38 as admirable.

Currently, Djokovic holds the record with 24 Grand Slam titles, a feat that places him at the top of men’s tennis history and ties him with female legend Margaret Court for total Majors won. At the 2026 Australian Open, the Serbian player had a chance to achieve this, but he was stopped in the final after losing in four sets to the current world number one, Carlos Alcaraz..

Speaking on the sidelines of a charity golf event at Club de Campo (Madrid), Nadal was asked about Djokovic’s potential to continue making history. The former world number one candidly said: "He had the opportunity in Melbourne. At this stage of his career, honestly, he doesn’t have many chances left. But what he is still accomplishing is truly admirable."

Nadal — who holds 22 Grand Slam titles before retiring in 2024 — currently ranks second among the most successful male tennis players ever, just behind Djokovic. The two legends created one of the greatest rivalries of the Open Era with 60 encounters from 2006 to 2024 — a record in men’s tennis.

No longer competing, Nadal watches tennis with a more relaxed mindset. "I feel calm, no strange feelings because my time ended as it naturally should. I extended my career longer than I ever imagined. Now I’m happy to see my peers succeed and, in a way, I also enjoy their achievements."

Currently, Novak Djokovic is resting and recuperating before entering a series of two ATP 1000 tournaments in the U.S.: Indian Wells and Miami. He has withdrawn from the Qatar Open and recently arrived in Cortina (Italy) to watch the Winter Olympics.