“People wonder when he will stop. What he does is impossible” » The big enigma surrounding Novak Djokovic at the beginning of 2026
Article by Maria Olteanu – Published on Sunday, 04 January 2026, 18:16 / Updated on Sunday, 04 January 2026 18:16
Before the new tennis season, one of the main questions is whether Novak Djokovic (38 years old, ATP) will be able to win his 25th Grand Slam tournament. His much younger opponent, Holger Rune (22, 15 ATP), offered an interesting response, impressed by the form shown by the former world leader.
In an extensive interview given to the Spanish publication “Marca”, the Danish tennis player spoke about the Serbian's chances to add another major title to his record.
“What Novak is doing is impressive. Every tournament he reaches at least the semi-finals and people wonder when he will stop. You never know with Novak. What he is already achieving is impossible, so if you ask me if it is impossible for him to win more Grand Slams…
If you ask me about any other player of his age, I'd say no, it's impossible, but if you ask me about Novak, I'd say nothing is impossible.” said Rune, quoted by sportal.blic.rs
Holger Rune is preparing his return to the field
When it comes to his plans, the young Dane does not yet know when he will be able to return to competition after the surgery.
“A lot of people ask me the same thing. With the Achilles tendon it's complicated. It's not like a muscle where you can follow the progress with an ultrasound and see that it's fine. The tendon has to be strong. I'm currently trying to walk again without problems after almost two months.
I cannot venture to say where or when I shall return. They say that patience in the beginning will make things go faster in the end. I hope to regain the mobility a tennis player needs by mid-February, and from then I will gradually return to my previous level,” added Rune.
The most important goals are now not the results for Runes. “My goal is to walk normally without a limp. It takes a little more strength in my calves than I have now, but that's coming quickly, I'm feeling better every day.
The second goal is to regain my general strength and gradually prepare for February 12, which will be four months after the operation, and that is the next step. My goal is to be able to move on the court and look like a tennis player. Depending on my progress from January 12th onwards, I might be ready to do some jumping in February. Maybe even more. But we are going step by step,” Rune said.
