Is Djokovic ‘Past His Prime’? Experts Issue a Chilling Warning!

It’s no secret that Novak Djokovic is finding it increasingly difficult to maintain peak performance throughout the season. At 37 years old, the Serbian icon still commands respect, but the relentless grind of professional tennis is taking its toll.

Djokovic, who has dominated the sport for nearly two decades, now faces the challenge of sustaining consistency and motivation—especially in lower-tier tournaments. While his hunger for Grand Slam glory remains intact, his ability to bring his A-game week after week appears to be fading.

Still a Major Threat on the Biggest Stage

Despite his ups and downs, Djokovic continues to shine on the sport’s grandest platforms. His 2025 Australian Open campaign showcased his enduring brilliance, with a stunning quarterfinal victory over Carlos Alcaraz. This wasn’t an isolated display of excellence—Djokovic had already pushed Alcaraz to the limit in the 2024 Paris Olympics final, proving he could still go toe-to-toe with the new generation.

Yet, these moments of greatness have become increasingly sporadic. Over the last 18 months, for every brilliant performance, there has been a crushing disappointment. The most recent example? A shock exit at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, where Djokovic fell in the second round to Dutch player Botic van de Zandschulp.

The Upset at Indian Wells: A Sign of Decline?

Djokovic’s loss to van de Zandschulp wasn’t just another defeat—it was a clear indication of his declining ability to dominate week in and week out. While the Dutchman played exceptionally well, Djokovic’s own mistakes played a major role in his downfall.

His performance was plagued by unforced errors, particularly in the first and third sets, a worrying trend for a player known for his precision. It was an uncharacteristic early exit that sent shockwaves through the tennis world, leading to urgent questions about his longevity in the sport.

Heinz Günthardt Analyzes Djokovic’s Decline

One man who understands the challenges of longevity in tennis is former ATP star and renowned coach Heinz Günthardt. In an interview with Blick, Günthardt offered a compelling analysis of Djokovic’s current struggles.

“Being competitive for a long period of time is not easy at his age,” Günthardt remarked. He emphasized that maintaining consistency and rhythm requires playing a lot of matches, something Djokovic has deliberately scaled back in the later years of his career.

While reduced scheduling helps with physical preservation, it also comes at a price—a loss of automatic responses and match sharpness. In elite tennis, the smallest details can make the difference between victory and defeat.

Training Smarter, Not Harder

Günthardt also touched on the importance of training efficiency for aging athletes. Drawing from his experience coaching Steffi Graf, he explained that in the latter part of her career, they reduced the number of practice sessions, but every single minute of training was meticulously planned and highly productive.

“As you get older, you need to train more efficiently,” he stated. This suggests that for Djokovic, quality over quantity will be the key to extending his dominance.

The Role of Motivation: Does Djokovic Still Have the Fire?

At nearly 38 years old, Djokovic does not appear tired of tennis, but his motivation levels are undoubtedly shifting. His legacy is secure, with 24 Grand Slam titles, countless records, and an unparalleled reign at World No. 1.

What remains to be seen is whether he still has the drive to fight through the physical and mental demands of the tour. His performances at the upcoming Roland Garros and Wimbledon will be critical in determining his future direction.

What’s Next for Novak Djokovic?

As the tennis world watches closely, Djokovic finds himself at a crossroads. Can he still summon the unbeatable form that once made him the most dominant player on the planet?

His Grand Slam ambitions remain alive, but the road ahead is filled with challenges. With young stars like Alcaraz, Sinner, and Medvedev constantly improving, the margin for error is slimmer than ever.

Djokovic has defied father time before. But can he do it again?

Only time will tell.