Novak Djokovic may have set his sights on outlasting both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in terms of career longevity, according to former world No. 3, Nikolay Davydenko. Despite already accomplishing the remarkable feat of completing his Career Golden Slam in 2024 by securing Olympic gold in Paris, along with his 24 Grand Slam titles, Djokovic has shown no signs of slowing down. He’s made it clear that he remains motivated to extend his career, even bringing in former rival Andy Murray as his coach for the 2025 season to help him chase more major titles.
Having turned professional in 2003, Djokovic is now the lone survivor of the famed “Big Three,” following the retirements of both Nadal and Federer this year. Djokovic will be turning 38 next May, the same age Nadal was when he called time on his illustrious career. Federer, meanwhile, ended his playing days at 41 in 2022.
Davydenko, who had to retire prematurely due to injuries, weighed in on the challenge of playing at an elite level beyond 40. In an interview with Match TV, the Russian expressed his belief that Djokovic could potentially surpass the age milestones set by both Federer and Nadal. “I’m 43 years old… If I finished at 25 because of an injury, I could come back at 30 after recovering,” Davydenko reflected. “But at my age, my body can’t cope with such loads.”
The former world No. 3 also pointed out the physical challenges that often arise as players age. “Nadal wasn’t even 40, and he couldn’t physically compete at the same level with top 50 players anymore. It’s useless. Federer, at 40, tried to prove he was still tough, but he didn’t prove anything.” Davydenko believes Djokovic is attempting to defy the natural limitations of aging, saying, “Novak is trying to show that age is no problem for him. He’s trying to cheat nature, but he can only do it for a couple of years.”
He continued, acknowledging the inevitability of injuries in a tennis career. “We are not robots. The physical demands are enormous, and injuries happen. Every player, at some point, deals with health issues. In the end, everyone’s career is cut short by injuries that hinder training.”
Both Federer and Nadal struggled with injuries in their final years, with Federer unable to overcome persistent knee issues and Nadal never fully recovering from a debilitating hip injury sustained in 2022. Despite these setbacks, Djokovic has already eclipsed many of their records, including the most Grand Slam titles, most weeks at world No. 1, and most ATP Masters 1000 titles.
Davydenko speculated, “He’s trying to cheat nature, and we’ll see if he succeeds. Maybe Novak wants to break the record for the longest career. Federer retired at 41, and perhaps Novak wants to reach that age too. Maybe he’ll play fewer tournaments, but it’s possible he’s aiming for that milestone.” Whether Djokovic can maintain his remarkable fitness and continue to compete at the highest level as he approaches his 40s remains to be seen, but his determination to defy the odds is evident.