Novak Djokovic is, by most measures, the most accomplished male player in tennis history: 24 Grand Slam titles, a record number of weeks at World No. 1, and a near-complete sweep of the sport’s records. At 39, he is no longer the dominant force he was, but 2026 proved he can still reach the sport’s biggest stages, beating reigning No. 1 Jannik Sinner to reach the Australian Open final before losing to Carlos Alcaraz.
The defining storyline now is the chase for a record-breaking 25th major, which would move him clear of Margaret Court atop the all-time list. He remains the “third man” in an era increasingly defined by the Alcaraz–Sinner duopoly — dangerous on his day, but no longer the favorite. The profile is an all-time great in a late, record-hunting phase.
Quick facts
- Full name: Novak Djokovic
- Nationality: Serbia (born Belgrade)
- Born: May 22, 1987
- Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
- Turned pro: 2003
- Plays: Right-handed, two-handed backhand
- Coach: Coaching setup has changed recently — verify current arrangement before publishing
- Identity: The most decorated man in tennis history, an all-court master and elite returner
Season snapshot — June 2026
- Current standing: Around World No. 4 (verify against the live ATP list before publishing; the rankings update on June 8 after Roland Garros)
- 2026 Grand Slams: Australian Open runner-up (beat Sinner in the semifinals, lost the final to Alcaraz); Roland Garros third round, losing to João Fonseca from two sets up
- Records extended in 2026: First man to reach 400 career Grand Slam match wins; record 82nd major main-draw appearance; a seventh major final after turning 35, an Open Era record
- Career majors: 24 — a men’s record — including 10 Australian Opens
- Other honors: Olympic singles gold (Paris 2024); record weeks at World No. 1
Snapshot data is time-sensitive and scheduled for quarterly review.
Snapshot
Djokovic’s game is built on the best return in the sport’s history, elite movement and flexibility, and a backhand that remains a benchmark. The physical margins have narrowed with age, and full seasons are now beyond him, but his ability to raise his level for the majors — as the 2026 Australian Open run showed — keeps him a threat to anyone over best-of-five.
Playing style and strengths
Return of serve. Historically the greatest returner the game has seen, still capable of neutralizing the biggest servers.
Movement and flexibility. Court coverage and elasticity that let him turn defense into offense.
Big-match experience. No one has played or won more major matches; the know-how remains an edge.
Pressure points and vulnerabilities
- Age: at 39, sustaining peak level across two weeks is increasingly difficult
- Reduced schedule and the conditioning that comes with fewer matches
- The rising level of Alcaraz and Sinner, who now set the standard
- Closing the final step at majors, as the 2026 Australian Open final showed
Career milestones
- A men’s-record 24 Grand Slam titles, including 10 at the Australian Open
- Record total weeks at World No. 1 and record year-end No. 1 finishes
- Completed the career Grand Slam (multiple times over) and won Olympic gold in 2024
- 2026: 400th major match win and a 38th major final, at 38 years old
Grand Slam record in context
Djokovic’s major record is the deepest in the men’s game: titles at every Slam, a record 10 in Melbourne, and more major match wins than anyone in history. The 2026 season — an Australian Open final at 38 and a rare early Roland Garros exit — captures both his enduring class and the reality of his age. Whether he reaches 25 is the question that frames whatever remains of his career.
What to watch next
- The 25th major — whether he can win one more to stand alone atop the all-time list
- Schedule — which events he prioritizes as he manages his body
- The big stages — whether he can still trouble Alcaraz and Sinner over five sets
Related reading
- Tennis Rankings Explained
- Grand Slams Explained
- ATP Masters 1000 Guide
- ATP Finals and WTA Finals Guide
