Djokovic uncertain about 2026 schedule, but best-of-three competitions back on the table
After a physically taxing US Open run, Novak Djokovic admitted he is re-evaluating his schedule for the upcoming season, hinting that he may focus more on best-of-three-set tournaments to prolong his career and improve his chances against the younger generation.
Novak Djokovic, US Open 2025 | © PsNewz
Novak Djokovic struck a genuine note of caution about his future schedule following his US Open semifinal loss to Carlos Alcaraz. The 38-year-old Serbian quickly decided he would focus solely – or almost solely – on the Grand Slams after his loss in the Miami final.
Hampered by a series of physical issues this year, the legendary member of the Big Three is now considering a different approach to the tour. While Grand Slams remain his top priority, the idea of shorter matches is gaining traction in his mind – especially now that competing in best-of-five sets against players like Sinner and Alcaraz is becoming increasingly difficult.
When asked about his calendar for the rest of 2025, Djokovic said his plans were uncertain beyond a single event. “I’m planning to play the Athens tournament. That’s for sure. But other than that, it’s really still a question mark.” The Athens tournament is the newly-relocated ATP 250 event from Belgrade, scheduled for November on an indoor hard court. He wasn’t able to forecast his prep for the 2026 Australian Open.
I do fancy my chances a bit more in the best-of-three
This shift in focus stems from a season where Djokovic has reached all four Grand Slam semifinals, a testament to his sustained excellence, but has failed to advance further. His losses to Alcaraz (US Open) and Jannik Sinner (Roland-Garros, Wimbledon) were, by his own admission, a result of being outmatched physically.
“The Grand Slam season this year… not to say that I will skip Grand Slams,” Djokovic clarified, “I still want to play a full Grand Slam season next year. But I do fancy my chances a bit more in the best-of-three, one-week tournaments or the Masters tournaments where you have almost two weeks with quite a few days between matches. That could serve me better in the matchups against them.”
Djokovic’s road to a 25th
As the 2025 season has shown, the youth and athleticism of Alcaraz and Sinner have turned that advantage on its head. In their US Open semifinal, Alcaraz’s relentless pace proved too much for Djokovic after two sets. The Serbian’s tank was, in his own words, “gassed out.”
Djokovic’s bid for a record 25th major title has hit a formidable roadblock in the form of the sport’s new generation. His statement about favoring best-of-three matches is a strategic adaptation to this new reality– a recognition that while his skill and passion remain, his body may not be able to sustain the physical rigors required to consistently beat the world’s best over five sets.
This opens up a new chapter in career management for Djokovic, who has made no secret of his desire to spend more time with his family and who openly criticized the new 12-day Masters 1000 format this summer. With 100 professional titles to his name, he has never suggested that Jimmy Connors’ record of 109 titles is a personal goal. But who knows? That’s a glory milestone that might only require best-of-three skills — and perhaps wouldn’t involve facing Sinner or Alcaraz along the way.
