How many slams will Djokovic finish his career with?

[ADuck]

May as well make another time capsule to look back on as it looks like Djokovic will have relatively free reign over the next 3-4 years with Nadal likely retiring next year and Alcaraz being the only challenger in his way.

I think the absolute maximum he could play on for at a high level for would be 4 more years, winning on average 2.5 slams per year which equals 10 slams. Therefore 33 slams is a rough absolute maximum I'd give him.

More likely what's going to happen is he'll lose some motivation after realizing he's already achieved everything he set out to do. Once that happens, it'll get more and more difficult for him to put in the effort required for him to maintain top physical conditioning and we'll likely see him getting afflicted with more and more injuries, but that won't kick in till next year because he'll be highly motivated to win the CYGS this year. He'll likely win Wimbledon, but I predict he won't win the USO. I think he'll lose to Alcaraz there, or perhaps Sinner, or maybe it'll be an accumulation of multiple tough matches that'll take him down. Next year though, I doubt he's going to be winning at the same rate as he has been these past few years. So I predict anywhere between 2-5 more slams after this year until the end of his career, so somewhere around 26-29 slams. I'll take the lower average of that and predict he'll end with 27 slams.

 

[tex123]

It's vulturefest. It has been for a while. He's racked up 6-7 slams already since Fed and Nad retired/semi retired/injured.

Unless Alcaraz steps up, no one to stop him.

 

[3loudboys]

He’ll end up with as many as he wants assuming the desire remains there after taking the slam lead and holding most records. There is noone in a bo5 match that can get close.

 

[Indigo]

He will aim for 25 slams so that he is the only name in history forever when it comes to this record.

 

[Deleted member 629564]

Seriously, who cares about the numbers in tennis nowadays?

 

[ADuck]

Seriously, who cares about the numbers in tennis nowadays?

What about the number of hands on a backhand?

 

[Cortana]

He will aim for 25 slams so that he is the only name in history forever when it comes to this record.

More.

We can discuss things when Djokovic doesn‘t win a single slam in a whole season.

 

[Genie Of the Bank]

26 if he stays healty, 2 more Wimbledons and one Australian Open.

 

[Hypo Crisis]

Guys, I think this forum agreed unanimously that Alcaraz has stepped up and is next big thing.
Minding that, I don't wanna hear any more weak era vulturing bs, because you need to level your head up - either Alcaraz is future GOAT, ATG, unbeatable by these mugs, or... he is not worth the hype or mentioning any more than Kasper.

Djokovic will finish his career at Wimbledon 2024 having 26 Slams or thereabouts.

 

[UnforcedTerror]

Now that he secured GOAThood, it will totally depend on his motivation. Does he still really want to keep grinding?

If yes, then his level is still good enough to give him 3 of the next 7. If not, then he should end up with 23-24 slams.

 

[3loudboys]

Seriously, who cares about the numbers in tennis nowadays?

Novak

 

[Cortana]

Now that he secured GOAThood, it will totally depend on his motivation. Does he still really want to keep grinding?

Nadal can return and win 2-3 more RG. The record isn‘t safe as long Nadal is an active player.

 

[ChrisRF]

but I predict he won't win the USO. I think he'll lose to Alcaraz there, or perhaps Sinner

I have a hard time imagining that. The only one who CAN have a day where he's relentless enough to shoot Djokovic off the court and never let him back in, even in Best of 5, is Medvedev. Alcaraz and Sinner may play as well as they can, but they will always give Djokovic an opening to work with. Be it suddenly tons of errors, be it physical problems, no matter, something will happen. Djokovic can count on that. And on top of that it looks like Djokovic can read their game better than Medvedev's unorthodox style.

 

[UnforcedTerror]

Nadal can return and win 2-3 more RG. The record isn‘t safe as long Nadal is an active player.

Next year is the last year for Bull and he would need to win the AO for the TCGS, good luck with that. No more Morrisons to save his ass.

RG is not enough btw.

 

[dadadas]

Nadal can return and win 2-3 more RG. The record isn‘t safe as long Nadal is an active player.

Nadal is on his last legs. One more RG would be an accomplishment.

 

[tennis_error]

It's hard to say, but we can wait for Beatles to answer, lol...

On a serious note, it should be 25 or more... I think people underestimate Novak's motivation, he loves this game (something people wrongfully give to Fedal only), he loves breaking records (everyone does but he has no problem admitting), he has stable family that supports him, pretty grown up children which goes with him on tour more and more often, he has great team...

Although he achieved almost everything there are few more things he can reach, as motivation... Wimbledon 9 for the record (why not 10, it sounds better), why not two more uso for the record, why not, record 7th WTF... Off course he won't reach all but why not trying?

Why he would just stop? To do what? Enjoy at the beach or travel the world? That's not Novak, he will bust his ass at court as long as he can...

 

[Cortana]

Nadal is on his last legs. One more RG would be an accomplishment.

Didn‘t we say the same things about Djokovic in 2017?

 

[3loudboys]

Nadal said it would be his last year in 2024 so he'll be looking to go out with a bang, RG a possibility if he can regain fitness. It wont be enough for the overall record but would be a fitting end to an incredible career.

 

[ADuck]

I have a hard time imagining that. The only one who CAN have a day where he's relentless enough to shoot Djokovic off the court and never let him back in, even in Best of 5, is Medvedev. Alcaraz and Sinner may play as well as they can, but they will always give Djokovic an opening to work with. Be it suddenly tons of errors, be it physical problems, no matter, something will happen. Djokovic can count on that. And on top of that it looks like Djokovic can read their game better than Medvedev's unorthodox style.

Alcaraz only played one Bo5 match against Djokovic in which he had the momentum and was looking the stronger player before he started cramping. Cramping is preventable and it's something his team will be addressing so I think it's highly unlikely for that to happen again, so to extrapolate based on that one match and say he can't beat him I don't agree with.

 

[InsideOut900]

If he keeps declining at a steady rate as he has been doing now instead of having an abrupt change in form like Ned had after RG last year, he should be in the clear until at least 2025.

After that, 22 years olds Rune and Raz should be too much to handle probably and will need super weak Slams, where he plays bums all tournament long to have a chance.

He is still the best on the tour now at 36 levelwise.

Fed also had quite a drop-off after 36.5 years old at AO 18, but it was more form related than game-wise, as he manage to still play at a high level in 2019 at some points.

I would say 25-26, he will decline at some point and winning Slams at this age is not easy at all, even against weak draws

 

[Unseeded Player]

It's vulturefest. It has been for a while. He's racked up 6-7 slams already since Fed and Nad retired/semi retired/injured.

Unless Alcaraz steps up, no one to stop him.

Fedal also had huge advantage before Novak entered prime.

 

[Djokodalerer31]

It is within 25-30 slam range surely! Anything more concrete is too tough to predict! I think trying to predict the exact number is too balsy, but i will go with 25-26 option as my most conservative, 27-28 as "realistically possible" and 29-30 as an absolute maximum, that he can do! I don't think he is going beyond 30 slams...but i also think 23-24 is lawballing it way too much, whoever voted for that option is crazy...LOL If i had to be more brave with my prediction i would go with CYGS this year (so that's two more slams...) and then 2 out of 4 next year and finally one last slam in 2025 as his last grand slam (i'll go with Wimbledon) for a total of 28!...final distribution - 11 AOs, 10 Wimbledons, 4 US Opens and 3 RGs!...while on more coservative/safe side i would go with one more slam this season (Wimbledon) and 2 more slams next season - AO and Wimbledon...and no slams in 2025...for an overall tally of - 11 AOs, 9 Wimbledons, 3 RGs and 3 US Opens...this looks more realistic to me...and most likely!...

 

[neytron]

People still don't learn anything and underestimate Novak.

 

[NeutralFan]

27-28. I said it long ago that he will end up winning 27-28 slams if his foot speed doesn't decline much. He has maintained his movement and foot speed better than anyone else .

 

[Cortana]

Federer was ~38 years old in Wimbledon 2019. Isn‘t Djokovics fitness way above Federers when he was 36 in 2017?

I think he‘ll be able to 2-3 years more than Federer did and thus retire with 40-41.

 

[StrongRule]

In this asterisk era he might reach 40 slams without problems.

 

[NeutralFan]

In this asterisk era he might reach 40 slams without problems.

Let it go, strong!

 

[LaVie en Rose]

It's hard to say, but we can wait for Beatles to answer, lol...

On a serious note, it should be 25 or more... I think people underestimate Novak's motivation, he loves this game (something people wrongfully give to Fedal only), he loves breaking records (everyone does but he has no problem admitting), he has stable family that supports him, pretty grown up children which goes with him on tour more and more often, he has great team...

Although he achieved almost everything there are few more things he can reach, as motivation... Wimbledon 9 for the record (why not 10, it sounds better), why not two more uso for the record, why not, record 7th WTF... Off course he won't reach all but why not trying?

Why he would just stop? To do what? Enjoy at the beach or travel the world? That's not Novak, he will bust his ass at court as long as he can...

He said to Mats&Barbara on court after winning RG, he loves to compete, it's clear that he loves tennis dearly.
Has seen at DC (during his off season days )final with his Stefan to whom he passed affection for the game, we have him watching women RG F in the gym with great interest

 

[itrium84]

In this asterisk era he might reach 40 slams without problems.

Imagine that! 2x Fed's slam record!

 

[ActualTennisPlayer]

We should not underestimate how soon Djokovic‘s career can be over.

When Fed was 36 years and 5 months - he won AO 2018. He seemed unbeatable but then he fell of the cliff. Sure, he had a great summer 2019 - losing to nadal in RG semis and almost beating Novak in the Wimbledon final. But besides that he lost to not that great players and didn’t have a chance at slams.

Last year, when Nadal was almost 36 years old, he had one of his best season starts winning AO and RG. But after that he played terrible and his career seems over.

Novak is 36 years now. I feel like next year (2024) will be his last great year. Anything longer than that would be something we have never seen before.

Finally, Rune and Alcaraz have ATG player vibes. In the modern era these guys start their peak with 22 (see big 3). So I think Novak’s competition will be super tough in 2025.

Verdict: 26 slams.

 

[StrongRule]

We should not underestimate how soon Djokovic‘s career can be over.

When Fed was 36 years and 5 months - he won AO 2018. He seemed unbeatable but then he fell of the cliff. Sure, he had a great summer 2019 - losing to nadal in RG semis and almost beating Novak in the Wimbledon final. But besides that he lost to not that great players and didn’t have a chance at slams.

Last year, when Nadal was almost 36 years old, he had one of his best season starts winning AO and RG. But after that he played terrible and his career seems over.

Novak is 36 years now. I feel like next year (2024) will be his last great year. Anything longer than that would be something we have never seen before.

Finally, Rune and Alcaraz have ATG player vibes. In the modern era these guys start their peak with 22 (see big 3). So I think Novak’s competition will be super tough in 2025.

Verdict: 26 slams.

Alcaraz proved he can't physically hold for more than 2 sets. Such a potential ATG. I think it's clear he will not be a threat to Djokovic in BO5.

Rune also only proved himself in BO3 so far.

 

[RF-18]

If he has the same hunger, 27-28 I'm gonna say.

 

[RS]

27-28. I said it long ago that he will end up winning 27-28 slams if his foot speed doesn't decline much. He has maintained his movement and foot speed better than anyone else .

On the other thread bumped from last year you voted Nadal would end with the most slams but you often say you always knew Djokovic would since his comeback?

 

[Red Rick]

I'll just say it like it's 2017 if you think he wins more than 17 you're out of your damn mind.

 

[dadadas]

Didn‘t we say the same things about Djokovic in 2017?

Nadal turns 38 next year. He is only one injury away from ending his pro career.

 

[Sephiroth]

27-28

Wimbledon is even easier to win than the AO imo and who's to say he can't even win a 4th RG next year unless Nadal rolls back the clock one last time and Alcaraz isn't guaranteed, Djokovic barely broke a sweat at RG and AO this year

competition has steadily gotten worse, 2021 was really bad but 2023 is even easier

 

[robert.s]

4-5 more at best. So 27-28 maybe. Think no more RG for him, or USO, but he can win in Australia and UK for a couple more years, until 2025 for sure.

 

[NeutralFan]

On the other thread bumped from last year you voted Nadal would end with the most slams but you often say you always knew Djokovic would since his comeback?

Son, I was being optimistic but yeah i have said many times Djokovic will be outright slam leader.

 

[ActualTennisPlayer]

Alcaraz proved he can't physically hold for more than 2 sets. Such a potential ATG. I think it's clear he will not be a threat to Djokovic in BO5.

Rune also only proved himself in BO3 so far.

Yes that’s because those guys are young - the just turned 20.
Federer never proved himself at slams - until he was 22.
Djokovic didn’t win a slam until he was 21. he also had lots of physical problems when he was young.
Nadal was disappointing on Hard Court slams until 22. Rafa did make Wimbledon with 20 but he had a laughable draw.

 

[TheNachoMan]

Gonna say 24. 25 max.

 

[Texas Tennis Fan]

Next year is the last year for Bull and he would need to win the AO for the TCGS, good luck with that. No more Morrisons to save his ass.

RG is not enough btw.

And Wimbledon.

 

[Texas Tennis Fan]

27-28. I said it long ago that he will end up winning 27-28 slams if his foot speed doesn't decline much. He has maintained his movement and foot speed better than anyone else .

There is no reason anatomically to expect his foot speed to dramatically decline unless he has an injury. Injuries are lessedned dramatically by all his stretching and to a lesser degree by his diet.

 

[Deleted member 779124]

Anything can happen and injury could come but it doesn't look like Djokovic is stopping soon and people including Djokovic's keep underestimating it. And looks like even at RG Nadal won't be around to stop him so that could well be 3 slams he is top contender/favourite for it's only USO that has bigger doubts.

 

[Deleted member 779124]

In this asterisk era he might reach 40 slams without problems.

30 wouldn't surprise me.

 

[NeutralFan]

There is no reason anatomically to expect his foot speed to dramatically decline unless he has an injury. Injuries are lessedned dramatically by all his stretching and to a lesser degree by his diet.

That's what I said ,son!

 

[Texas Tennis Fan]

In this asterisk era he might reach 40 slams without problems.

Yeah, it is a real blot on Nadal's career that he has only won 22 slams with almost 2/3s of them on clay since it is such a weak era. Why didn't he win a lot more StrongRule? Why has he not won Wimbeldon since 2010 and needed the Australian government to help him win an AO after a dacade in such a weak era? It is really embarrassing for him. Certainly a lot worse than being bageled by Federer and Djokovic 6-0, 6-0 at the YEC in such a weak era. No wonder he is retiring since he cannot win much in the horriblly weak era. I suspect he will retire in a small town in Spain and hide his head in shame, hoping that he is not seen because of his weak showing in this weak era. I am not sure his son will even want to see him since his father did so poorly off of RG slams in this weak era. Really a tragic and shameful end for him doing so poorly in this weak era when Djokovic is going to win 40 slams according to you and without any problem.

 

[catskillthunder]

As a Nadal fan, I've conceded the fact Nole will retire with more GS then Rafa and I'm ok with that. The GS race or GOAT race was rarely something I debated about with anyone here as it's absolute comical madness watching 95% of this board make it such a big deal in their lives to the point where people resort to such childish behavior here. Anyway, I want Novak to stay around and slap these younger guys around for another 2-3 years. It's cool watching the "older guys" make the supposed next gen suffer and let them know the "older guys" are still here and they still can't beat them.

 

[secund2nun]

I think Novak will win at least 4 more. Most likely 5 or more. I will say 28, but never count out Novak. He could hit 30 or more.

 

[itrium84]

Alcaraz proved he can't physically hold for more than 2 sets. Such a potential ATG. I think it's clear he will not be a threat to Djokovic in BO5.

Rune also only proved himself in BO3 so far.

You obviously missed USO22.

 

[Chairman3]

24-25
You can't defy age forever, just ask Tom Brady. And Djokovic's body has taken a much harder beating than Tom's.