Article by Roxana Fleşeru – Published on Sunday, 30 November 2025 23:13 / Updated on Sunday, 30 November 2025 23:36
Novak Djokovic (38, 4 ATP) said that by 2026 he would try to make a physical leap that would allow him to compete with Alcaraz and Sinner.
Novak Djokovic is gunning for his 25th career Grand Slam trophy, and his first opportunity will come in early 2026 at the Australian Open, a tournament he has won ten times in the past.
It is this competitive hunger that keeps Novak Djokovic still on the circuit at 38, after winning it all and facing two young men who have taken over world tennis: Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
They shared the four Grand Slams in 2025 and both eliminated the Serb in the semifinals at Roland Garros (Sinner), Wimbledon (Sinner) and the US Open (Alcaraz).
And in those three duels, the main difference was the physicality: while the young bodies of the Spaniard and the Italian stood up to the challenge, the Belgrade player's gave way as the game progressed.
Novak Djokovic and his ambitious plan
Novak Djokovic is looking to “rebuild” his body to win titles in 2026. That's why the former world number one has decided that for next season, what he needs to urgently change is his fitness, and he will do it in an innovative way.
This is what he told Sky Sports: “I am trying to rebuild the car. I've been injured more often in the last 18 months, so I'm trying to rebuild my body to have a great start to the season and, with a bit of luck, be at the level of the best.”
In 2025, at the Australian Open, he had to retire in the semifinals due to an injury to Alexander Zverev.
The Serbian played 50 matches in 2025, winning thirty-nine and losing eleven. He surpassed the figure of 100 in terms of ATP tournaments, winning in Geneva and Athens for those with the number 100 and 101, respectively.
