"My body reminds me of my age": Novak Djokovic makes honest Wimbledon admission ahead of US Open

Saturday, 18 July 2026 at 07:30

Novak Djokovic has offered one of his most candid assessments yet of where his career stands, admitting that his body is no longer able to recover the way it once did as he prepares for another bid at a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.

Speaking during an appearance on CBS Mornings to promote his upcoming documentary The Wolf in Winter, the 39-year-old reflected on the physical challenges of competing against a new generation while looking ahead to the US Open.

The Serbian arrives in New York after another deep Grand Slam run at Wimbledon, where he reached the semifinals before losing to eventual champion Jannik Sinner. Djokovic defeated Yibing Wu, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Arthur Rinderknech, Roman Safiullin and Felix Auger-Aliassime before running into the Italian, who went on to successfully defend his title at the All England Club.

Although Djokovic remains among the favourites whenever a Grand Slam begins, the former world No. 1 acknowledged that maintaining that level has become increasingly demanding. Rather than pointing to motivation or confidence, he admitted that recovery has become the biggest obstacle after more than two decades competing at the highest level.

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Even so, Djokovic made it clear that his ambition has not changed. The 24-time Grand Slam champion said the challenge before the US Open is not simply overcoming rivals such as Sinner or Alexander Zverev, but continuing to prove to himself that he can still improve despite approaching four decades of age.

"My body reminds me of my age"

Asked whether he thinks about being 39 years old while still competing for the sport's biggest titles, Djokovic admitted age has become impossible to ignore—even if it is not always on his mind.

"I am thinking about playing great tennis and really, if I'm not thinking about it, then people remind me. If the people don't remind me of my age, then my body reminds me of my age and you're just trying to take every percentage of extra edge that I can get to be able to still compete at an elite level with young guys."

Novak Djokovic reached semifinals at Wimbledon and lost against Jannik Sinner.

Djokovic explained that the biggest difference compared to earlier in his career is not necessarily during matches, but in the days that follow them. Using his Wimbledon campaign as an example, he pointed to his marathon quarterfinal before facing Sinner in the last four.

"The body is responding differently and that's just biology. The wear and tear of the 20-plus years on the highest level, it's just taking its toll. So it takes more time for me to recover. After that five-hour, 15-minute quarterfinal, I just couldn't fully recover for the semis and I wasn't as fresh as I wanted to be. But not to take anything away from Sinner, who won and won the tournament. It's different nowadays."

"My biggest competition? Myself"

Despite those physical realities, Djokovic insisted his desire to compete for the biggest titles remains unchanged, beginning with the US Open later this summer.

When asked who he sees as his biggest rival in New York, the Serbian delivered a characteristically revealing answer. "Myself always."

He then expanded on what continues to drive him after winning virtually every major record in men's tennis. "There's always something to prove—to myself primarily, and to others—but mostly to myself that I can always be better than I was yesterday."

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Djokovic also spoke about what keeps bringing him back to the Grand Slams despite already cementing his legacy. "One of the biggest reasons why I still compete is the energy of the crowd and the appreciation and respect that I've been getting, particularly in the last several years around the world. It's something I cannot thank people enough for. It matters a lot to me."

The Serbian now turns his attention to the North American hard-court swing, where he will chase a fifth US Open crown and the elusive 25th Grand Slam singles title that would further extend his all-time record. After another semifinal appearance at Wimbledon, Djokovic believes the hunger is still there—even if his body now requires more patience than ever before.

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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.

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