Greg Rusedski backs Novak Djokovic to keep playing, says it is imperative to enjoy the challenge

Former Britain number one Greg Rusedski has opened up on Novak Djokovic’s future. The Serbian hasn’t been able to win a Slam in the last two years as Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have dominated the tour.

While Sinner has won four Majors out of the last eight, Alcaraz has won the remaining four. Rusedski said Djokovic is still the third-best player on the tour, though, the chances of him beating either Alcaraz or Sinner are slim. However, the Brit said it is pivotal for a player to keep enjoying the game as long as he/she is playing at the top level.

Djokovic is the most successful male tennis player in the history of the sport with 24 Major titles but the record-breaking 25th title is still missing in his glittering cabinet.

“You know it’s time to retire when you are not enjoying it any more. He is still the third best player in the world, even though the rankings don’t say so,” Rusedski said on Tennis365.

“Can he beat Alcaraz and Sinner in three out of five sets back to back? Possibly not. Maybe at Wimbledon, but if he is still enjoying the challenge, why not try and stay out there, Rusedski said.

Rusedski said Djokovic would have been left disappointed after he had to opt out of the Australian Open 2025 semifinal against Alexander Zverev with a hamstring injury. The 10-time AO champion had beaten Alcaraz in the quarterfinal.

“The biggest disappointment for Novak last year was when he beat Alcaraz at the Australian Open and then he had to pull out of the semi-final against (Alexander) Zverev with an injury. If he gets into the final in a one off match against Sinner, anything can happen,” he concluded.

Djokovic would be hungry to come up with even more consistent performances in 2026.