Nick Kyrgios weighs in on potential retirement date for Novak Djokovic after candid talk with the Serbian

There has been a lot of speculation regarding when 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic will finally hang up his racket. After a personal chat with the Serbian, Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios believes the time might be sooner rather than later.

Djokovic has been on a quest to win his 25th Grand Slam title. However, the 38-year old has fallen short in the semifinals of the last three Majors, and has not won a Grand Slam title since the 2023 US Open. With recurrent injuries and age finally catching up to him, people have begun to wonder when the former World No.1 will call it a career.

Family will play a role in the decision, says Kyrgios

In an appearance on All on The Table, a podcast hosted by French coach Patrick Mouratoglou on the Ultimate Tennis Showdown YouTube channel, the duo spoke about Djokovic's longevity. Furthermore, they speculated on when the tennis great would decide to retire from the sport, joining fellow Big Three members Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

"It's tough to have a motivation," began Mouratoglou. "What does he play for? He's won everything. He's the best of all time."

"Yeah, I asked him," revealed Kyrgios. "I asked him at Indian Wells this year. We were in the locker room and I asked him 'why are you playing?'
"He just goes 'I don't know'. I was like 'what about your kids and your family' and he again says 'I don't know'. That was the first time I think he's like he misses his family a lot.
"I stay in touch with him all the time. I can't see him playing more than another year. Not a whole year again. Especially since he's not winning the Slams again too."

Kyrgios and Djokovic teamed together to play doubles at the start of the 2025 ATP season in Brisbane, generating a lot of interest. The duo won their opening match but were later defeated in the second round.