Former world number one bluntly expressed a negative opinion about Djokovic

Novak Djokovic is encountering many doubts as the 2026 season approaches.

Theoretically, no male player in history can surpass the legendary trio Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer. However, Djokovic still has the chance to claim the top spot if he wins his 25th Grand Slam title. The issue is: it has been over two years since he matched Margaret Court’s record, and since then, the Serbian player has not added another major title.

This gap coincides with the strong rise of a new generation, led by Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Since the 2023 US Open, Djokovic has only reached one more Grand Slam final at Wimbledon 2024. Meanwhile, Alcaraz and Sinner have shared eight of the most recent major titles, establishing a new era of dominance in men's tennis.

In this context, former world number one Yevgeny Kafelnikov expressed doubt. The renowned Russian player believes age difference is an insurmountable barrier.

"A 39-year-old, no matter how great, finds it hard to compete against a 22-year-old at peak physical condition.", Kafelnikov stated. He added that Nole can still perform well in three-set matches, but in the five-set format of Grand Slams, recovery and movement pose significant challenges.

What worries Kafelnikov more is Djokovic’s decision to continue competing, as the player aims to extend his career at least until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The Grand Slam record holder himself admits he continues because of passion: "As long as I feel I am playing at a high level and my body allows it, why not?". For Kafelnikov, this demonstrates rare courage and dedication, even though it is difficult to find new motivation for a player who has nearly reached all the peaks.