“It was hard with Roger Federer, it was also very hard with Rafa”: Justine Henin questions Djokovic's future with stark warning
ATPWednesday, 02 September 2026 at 01:00
Justine Henin has admitted she is now more concerned about Novak Djokovic’s future than she was a few months ago, with the Serbian’s latest Grand Slam setback raising questions about whether he can still compete consistently at the highest level.
Djokovic’s 2026 season began with another reminder of his ability to challenge the best players in the world. He defeated Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semifinals before pushing Carlos Alcaraz through a demanding final, showing that his experience and level remained sufficient to take him deep into major tournaments.
The months since Melbourne have been considerably more difficult. Djokovic struggled to reproduce that form consistently and arrived at the US Open without another Grand Slam run of similar magnitude. His campaign ended in the opening round against Mariano Navone, a result that also ended a remarkable 20-year run without a first-round defeat at a major.
At 39, Djokovic is now competing in a different environment from the one that defined most of his career. Sinner and Alcaraz have established themselves as the leading figures of the younger generation, while the physical demands of staying with them over two weeks have become increasingly significant. Henin believes the latest developments could force Djokovic to confront questions about what he wants from the final stage of his career.
Henin questions whether Djokovic can still find satisfaction at the top
Henin’s assessment goes beyond Djokovic’s latest result. The seven-time Grand Slam champion pointed to a longer-term change in the Serbian’s relationship with winning, particularly after several seasons in which his Grand Slam dominance has gradually diminished.
“Without a doubt, Djokovic must have a lot of questions on his mind, because he has always had the resources to deal with everything he has been through,” said Henin to Eurosport. “He has also talked over the past two years about the fact that he no longer wins as much as before, that he no longer wins Grand Slams.”
Djokovic remains the owner of the men’s record with 24 Grand Slam singles titles, but he has not won a major since the 2023 US Open. His Australian Open run showed that another deep run remains possible, yet the consistency that once made him almost impossible to remove early from a Grand Slam draw is no longer guaranteed.
“He keeps playing in the big league. He is still playing to write the history of the sport in a different way. He also wants to keep enjoying what he does. But can you take pleasure in playing when you can no longer compete at the highest level?” Henin wondered.
Federer and Nadal provide a difficult comparison
The uncertainty surrounding Djokovic is familiar territory for tennis fans. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal both faced difficult transitions toward the end of their careers, with questions about when competitive ambition should give way to the realities of an aging body.
“For a long time, he maintained a very high level. He didn't lose in the first round of a Grand Slam for 20 years. Will that change his perspective? It will also depend on how he responds physically over the coming weeks and months,” Henin explained.
Djokovic’s situation is different from Federer’s and Nadal’s in several respects, but the underlying question is similar: how long can a player continue when the standard they have set for themselves becomes increasingly difficult to maintain?
“It’s probably a process, a process we don't have access to, of thinking about his future, of accepting that perhaps his best is already behind him and that there is also another life ahead.”
Henin stopped short of predicting what Djokovic will decide. Instead, she stressed that the answer will come only through the Serbian’s own assessment of his motivation, physical condition and ability to compete with the best players.
“It will be a matter of time. He can't answer, and we all have to accept that, because it's a process that concerns only him. I don't have the answer,” she insisted. “With these champions, we always want to imagine that, one way or another, they will live forever. They will remain legends, without a doubt, forever. We still hope they will find some inner resources.”
“It was hard with Roger Federer, it was also very hard with Rafa, and it will be difficult in a different way with Novak," Henin claimed. "Today, I am a little more concerned than I was a few months ago."
Djokovic’s legacy is already secure regardless of what happens next. But after an unprecedented early Grand Slam exit, the question is no longer simply whether he can produce another great tournament. It is whether he still believes the pursuit is worth the physical and competitive demands required to do so.
“Tennis has a future, and he will be an important part of the history of this sport,” Henin concluded.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
claps 0visitors 0
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- ‘Fils arrived just eight days after winning his maiden Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati, where he beat Carlos Alcaraz in the final, and entered the US Open as one of the players expected to make a deep run.’ Fils defeated Tiafoe in the final not Carlos Alcaraz.DaveyWavey01-09-2026
- Great article!!
AceOfBase31-08-2026 - Snorting hard drugs is not an "accident" nor a "mistake". That is a Choice.
mandoist28-08-2026 - No... athletes retire and that's it. No 'giftng' Wildcards -- QUALIFY LIKE EVERYONE ELSE NOT RANKED HIGH ENOUGH or stay home and cherish yourselves in the mirrors all over your houses!. This shitshow needs to be stopped... the "Look At Me" nonsense has gone on far too long.mandoist28-08-2026
- Great article! I began cheering for the “real” doubles specialists at the beginning but once they all lost their respective matches I really didn’t care who actually won the whole tournament. I liked the last four teams in the semifinals and would have enjoyed seeing any of them win the trophy! Not sure it really feels like a TRUE Grand Slam win however (and I know history will say it is!). Happy for Muchova/Mensik. Karolina is now a Grand Slam winner.DaveyWavey27-08-2026
- …and Foseca ;)DaveyWavey25-08-2026
- All the men dropping like flies. Something’s gotta be done with the tournament calendar or many more players will be on the sidelines in the near future. Surprised Carlos is back as soon as he is. Get well soon Sinner, Draper, Fokina, Rune, etc. etc. etc……DaveyWavey25-08-2026
- I want Pegula to surprise as a one-slam wonder winning in New York. She would then jump over the other three ladies for a number one ranking! I’d put my money on the two American girlies, Jessica and Coco to win in New York. Rybakina cannot seem to perform under this kind of pressure and Sabalenka appears in an anger fog ATM.DaveyWavey24-08-2026
- Well said, Andy. I got sick of Nick carrying on and on and on about Sinner. He absolutely refused to look at the facts. Now look at him. Karma is real!!!Rapunzel23-08-2026
- The fact that ANDY RODDICK of all people has become the voice of “reason” is interesting. He’s absolutely correct about Kyrgios too. He’s become a tennis influencer who is a total hypocrite and bully! I agree with RODDICK 100%DaveyWavey23-08-2026
Loading