Even at 38, Novak Djokovic came out swinging in the Australian Open final, winning the first set and looking every bit like the champion who’d won this trophy 10/10 times. But as the match wore on, the momentum shifted to Carlos Alcaraz’s side and remained there. For a moment, it felt like Novak Djokovic’s era might finally be ending. But is it really over?

“But I must be very honest and say that I didn’t, you know, think that I would be standing in a closing ceremony of a Grand Slam once again. So I think I owe you the gratitude as well for pushing me forward. God knows what happens tomorrow, let alone in six months or 12 months. So it has been a great ride. I love you guys,” said Djokovic to close out his post-match speech.

It wasn’t exactly a retirement announcement, not even close. But it did feel like the first subtle hint that the end might be somewhere on the horizon, a quiet acknowledgement that nothing lasts forever, even for a titan like Novak Djokovic.

On Sunday, inside a packed Rod Laver Arena, Alcaraz captured his first Australian Open title with a 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 win over the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

Still, in true Djokovic fashion, he handled the moment with grace, praising his 22-year-old opponent.

“This is Carlos’ moment,” Djokovic said, choosing to keep the spotlight firmly on the new champion. “I want to just say in the end that you guys, particularly the last couple of matches, gave me something that I have never experienced in Australia, that much love, support, positivity.”

He went on to speak from the heart, almost like he was thinking out loud in front of the crowd.

“I try to give you back with good tennis over the years,” he said. “This has been my, I think, 21st year, maybe 22nd year coming to Australia. Honestly, you know, I always believe in myself and I think that is something that is, you know, truly needed and necessary when you’re playing at this level against incredible players like Carlos and Jannik.”

There’s been a lot of buzz lately about Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, the two young stars who’ve combined to win the last eight major titles and seem ready to take over men’s tennis. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic stands alone as the final member of the Big Three still competing, with both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal having retired a couple of years ago. At 38, the retirement questions follow him everywhere, and after Sunday, his words felt more open and honest about his future than they’ve been in a long time.

So now, it feels like one of those “wait and see” moments. Keep an ear out for any announcement Djokovic might make this season. Federer and Nadal both chose to step away toward the end of their respective seasons, and maybe Djokovic could be thinking along the same lines.

Novak Djokovic hints he may have two more years left in tank

At 38, Novak Djokovic can’t seem to show up to a tournament without someone asking the same question: When are you retiring? It’s almost become part of the routine now. His longtime rival and close friend Rafael Nadal stepped away from the sport at the same age in 2024, so naturally, people wonder if Djokovic might follow a similar path. But if you ask Novak, he doesn’t sound ready to walk away just yet. In fact, he believes he still has at least a couple more years left in him.

After his second-round win at the Australian Open on Thursday, Djokovic didn’t dive straight into talk about his own retirement plans. Instead, the conversation shifted to two fellow veterans, Gael Monfils, 39, and Stan Wawrinka, 40, who are both nearing the end of their careers and possibly playing their last Australian Open. Seeing them prepare to say goodbye didn’t make Djokovic feel like doing the same. If anything, it reminded him that his own clock might still have some time.

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“Monfils is one year older than me, Wawrinka two,” Djokovic told ESPN Tenis, via translation. “So I think I have two more years left to play, at least.”

This year’s Australian Open also marks another milestone. It’s Djokovic’s 81st major appearance, tying Roger Federer’s all-time record. And if he steps onto the court at May’s French Open, he’ll officially break it, adding yet another piece of history to a career that’s already stacked with them.

As long as he stays healthy and keeps playing the way he has, there’s really no telling how long he’ll stick around. He reached the semifinals of all four majors last year and is still chasing that elusive 25th Grand Slam, a number that would finally put him alone at the top of tennis history. So if anything, this Australian Open doesn’t feel like a farewell tour for Djokovic. Not yet.