McEnroe gives verdict on Djokovic’s future after loss to Alcaraz at US Open

If nothing else, you can never question the fighting spirit of Novak Djokovic. While age may finally be catching up with him, it seems he isn’t ready to step away from the sport just yet.

John McEnroe shares thoughts on Novak Djokovic’s next steps

While speaking live on ESPN, McEnroe was asked about what he sees next for the 37-year-old.

“I don’t know. It’s all up to him,” he said. In a way, I wouldn’t be surprised if he stopped. But I would be surprised if he tried to go one more year. That would be my bet.”

“He’s been the third-best player in the world this year. That’s what he was. So we hear the applause. That’s nice.”

“But these guys have separated themselves. These two, it’s incredible. How quickly they’ve just dominated the game.”

McEnroe still made sure to praise Djokovic for how he handled himself after the defeat, adding: “He doesn’t lose much, but he’s always been gracious enough when he does. He always gives the players their due.”

This is an incredible challenger [Alcaraz].” Juan Carlos Ferrero claimed Alcaraz is doing something that nobody has ever done before at the US Open. Tonight’s clash only reinforced that.

Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam pursuit becomes even more distant

At this point in his career, the only reason Novak Djokovic needs to keep playing is because he still enjoys it.

He’s won every major title in the game, most of them more than once. By the time he took Olympic gold last summer, there really wasn’t anything left for him to prove.

And yet, he’s still there, competing against players nearly twenty years younger than him. The hunger for a 25th Grand Slam title has never faded. But every year that passes seems to move that goal further out of reach.

He’ll turn 39 next year while Alcaraz and Sinner are both just getting better. It’s starting to look like that final record might be the one thing that slips away from him.