Novak Djokovic is gearing up for the 2026 Wimbledon Championships, with his sights set on ending his Grand Slam drought and clinching his record-extending 25th Major title. Ahead of his highly anticipated campaign, Rafael Nadal’s uncle and former coach, Toni Nadal, has shared a bold prediction about Djokovic’s future, explaining why he believes 2026 could mark the Serb’s final season on tour.
Why Toni Nadal Believes 2026 Is Novak Djokovic’s Final Season
Djokovic was last seen in action at the French Open, where he suffered a 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 loss to João Fonseca after squandering a two-set lead in their blockbuster third-round clash. The Serb ignited retirement speculation after the crushing loss by offering an uncertain response when asked whether he would be back at Roland Garros in 2027, saying, “I don’t know.”
Speaking to ESPN Tennis amid the grass-court season, Toni Nadal explained that his prediction that Djokovic would not win the French Open was largely based on the toll of aging. Having seen his assessment proved correct, Nadal expressed his belief that this could be Djokovic’s final season, given that the 24-time Grand Slam champion would have little incentive to continue if winning another Major title was out of reach.
“Before Roland Garros, I was asked if I saw Djokovic winning the tournament, and I said no, not because I didn’t value him, but because time marches on. When you have to play five sets every two days, your recovery isn’t the same. Travel isn’t the same; you arrive a little late, and it all affects your game. He’s competing to try and win one more Grand Slam; otherwise, what’s the point for a guy who’s won everything? That’s why I think we’re looking at his last season,” he said.
Despite Nadal’s speculation and his own uncertainty about his future, Djokovic has been open about his ambition to compete at the 2028 LA Olympics. Earlier this year, the Serb, who won the singles gold at the 2024 Paris Games, told Olympics.com that he was doing everything possible to be ready to compete at the prestigious event in two years.
“Six Olympic Games is better than five Olympic Games. The Olympic Games, representing your country, wearing the colours of your flag and of your nation, on your shirt, on your back, proudly, is something that no other event can really give you,” he said. “To be sharing that Olympic experience with 10,000 other athletes, the best athletes in the world… I hope I get to experience it another time. I’m really working on it. Two years seems a very long way for me now at this stage, but I’m working on it.”
While Toni Nadal harbors doubts, Novak Djokovic has received a vote of confidence from Andy Roddick ahead of his Wimbledon campaign. With two-time winner Carlos Alcaraz absent and the lingering “question marks” surrounding Jannik Sinner, Roddick suggested that this year’s grass-court Major presents Djokovic with his best chance to win his 25th Grand Slam title.
