Within the tennis fraternity, there is a growing belief that a player nearing 39 and still active professionally has reached the career’s final crossroads. However, Russian tennis legend Marat Safin does not share that view when it comes to Novak Djokovic.
The former World No. 1 has made it clear that Djokovic is still playing at a ‘great level’ and remains the ‘best’ in tennis history. However, he also remarked that there is something wrong with the new generation if they are still unable to beat him at this stage of his career.
Marat Safin Puts Novak Djokovic Ahead of ‘Wrong’ New Generation in His Blunt Assessment
Novak Djokovic is widely regarded as one of the greatest players the sport has ever seen. While many of his contemporaries, including Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, have stepped away from the game, the Serb continues to compete on tour, having amassed 101 career titles and a record 24 Grand Slam crowns, the most by any male player.
Now ranked World No. 4 and approaching 39, Djokovic continues to defy the limits of age, holding his own against a new generation of competitors, including Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, and more.
However, Safin believes that there is something wrong with the new generation. While speaking to the Australian Open media ahead of the Grand Slam, the two-time Grand Slam champion said, “Novak is still playing at a great level but there is something wrong with the new generation. I don’t wanna take credit from Novak of course, he is the best in the history of tennis. But still, come on guys!”
Former world number 1 Marat Safin : “Novak is still playing at a great level but there is something wrong with the new generation, he’s the best in the history of tennis but come on guys…”
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Although Safin has his own perspective, it’s worth noting that Djokovic has struggled to make his trademark impact in the last two seasons. He failed to win any title in 2024, marking his first season without a Grand Slam title since 2017.
In 2025, he improved slightly, winning two ATP 250 events in Geneva and Athens, taking his career total to 101. He also reached the Miami Open final but was stunned 6-7(4), 6-7(4) by young Jakub Menšík.
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However, Djokovic once again fell short of a Grand Slam in 2025. He was forced to retire from the Australian Open semifinal against Alexander Zverev due to a muscle tear. He then suffered semifinal defeats to Jannik Sinner at both the French Open and Wimbledon, before losing to Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open.
Apart from that, he limited his appearances, skipping the lead-ups to Wimbledon and the US Open, missing most of the Asian swing except for the Shanghai Masters 1000, and surprisingly opting out of both the ATP Finals in Turin and the Adelaide International.
