Novak Djokovic, who would announce 36 is the new 26 only a couple of years ago, had to start 2025 with a carefully planned schedule– three slams, back-to-back, and minimal warm-up tournaments, thanks to the physicality of it all. As recently as October last year, he’d dismiss being associated with ‘too old.’ But now, he also believes in biology.

For the first time since  2009-10, the Serb legend, who equalled Margaret Court’s record of 24 major singles titles with his 2023 US Open triumph, has gone two straight years without winning a slam. While he did make it to the semifinals in each of those this season, either Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner denied him the next stage three of the four times. When that happens, it is hard to hold on to the hopes of etching history with a 25th. 

“I do have more doubts that I can win slams, particularly against these two guys,” he admitted on Piers Morgan Uncensored. “But at the same time, I know that while I am still active, and when I enter the court, I don’t care who is across the net, I always believe I’m better, and I believe that I deserve to win, and I’m going to do everything I can to win.”

His season, however, told a story of struggle. The Serb pulled out of the Paris Masters in October without offering a reason, though injuries had already shadowed him since his semi-final loss to qualifier Valentin Vacherot in Shanghai. Despite qualifying for the ATP Finals as the world’s No. 3, Djokovic was forced to withdraw the day before the tournament, again due to lingering fitness issues.

His results spoke volumes. He fell to Sinner in both the French Open and Wimbledon semifinals and to Alcaraz at the same stage of the US Open– three painful reminders. “I am aware that right now both are better than me,” Djokovic also shared on the show.

He still went on to win his 100th and 101st career title this season, the last one being in Athens, where he became only the third-oldest player to secure an ATP title (38 years and five months). His four Slam titles after turning 35 are also a record. But the aging is real.

Despite making it to the ATP finals, he’d withdraw from the tournament only a day prior due to injury. “I have a lot of faith in the power of thoughts, but at the same time, I also believe in biology. I am 38 years old, wear and tear is real,” the Serb great added. 

Against all odds, Tiger Woods did pull a miracle back in 2019, winning the Masters at 43 years old. But with Sincaraz right around the corner, Djokovic doubts seeing himself in a similar position.

Winner’s mentality or not, Djokovic stands at a crossroads, facing a new generation determined to dethrone him. Yet amid reflections on age, rivalry, and legacy, the Serb also addressed another storm brewing in the tennis world, the doping controversy that sidelined Jannik Sinner for three months in 2025. 

Novak Djokovic says doping scandal will haunt Jannik Sinner

Jannik Sinner’s 2025 season began under a storm that few expected. The world No.1 served a suspension in February after twice testing positive for a prohibited substance, a case he claimed stemmed from contamination caused by a cream applied by his physiotherapist. What followed was a whirlwind that split the tennis world in two, exposing the sport’s uneasy relationship with fairness and accountability.

While Sinner avoided suspension during the investigation, critics pointed out the stark contrast in treatment compared to lesser-known players who faced immediate bans. The discrepancy sparked outrage across the circuit, even as Sinner returned from his 12-week absence to claim a resounding Wimbledon triumph, proving his tennis brilliance had not faded.

Still, the shadow refused to lift. Many within the tennis community raised concerns about the “many red flags” surrounding the case’s handling, and Novak Djokovic, a man who knows what it means to live under constant scrutiny, did not hold back. “That cloud will follow him as the cloud of COVID will follow me for the rest of my career,” Djokovic said. “It is just something that … it was so major that when it happens, over time it will fade, but I don’t think it will disappear. There are always going to be certain groups of people who will try to bring that forward.”

The Serb’s words carried weight. After all, he himself endured global criticism following his deportation from Australia in 2022. Now, he saw echoes of that in Sinner’s saga. “The lack of transparency, the inconsistency, the convenience of the ban coming between the slams so he doesn’t miss them — it was very, very odd. I really didn’t like how that case was being handled.”

Sinner’s triumphs continue to dazzle, but the shadow of controversy lingers just behind the glow of his success. But amidst the youthful ferocity, Novak Djokovic, still haunted by his own past storms, eyes a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam, perhaps waiting to rise again when the Australian Open begins on January 12.