Novak Djokovic Knows What He’s Missing as Age and Clay Take Their Toll

Novak Djokovic admits his limits but refuses to be counted out

Djokovic hasn’t won a Slam since the 2023 US Open. He knows the challenge is growing, but history shows it’s foolish to dismiss him.

From outlasting Sinner in a five-set thriller to losing to Alcaraz in the final, Djokovic faces the reality of age while holding onto belief...

Novak Djokovic says his preparation for the French Open has been “not ideal” as he pursues a 25th career Grand Slam title. He arrives at Roland Garros facing an opponent he cannot outplay: time.

 

The Serbian turns 39 this week. He is no longer the immovable force he once was, and his durability is becoming a concern. The sport now favors younger, more explosive players.

The question now is not just whether Djokovic can win another French Open. It is how he adjusts his game and mindset to counter the physical decline that comes with age.

Djokovic has taken a more selective schedule and a pragmatic approach. Still, he admitted he would have preferred more time on clay before arriving in Paris.

He has played only three tournaments in 2026. On clay, he lost his only match to Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic at this month’s Italian Open.

Djokovic withdrew from Miami, Monte Carlo, and Madrid while managing a shoulder injury. Strapping was visible during his brief appearance in Rome.

“It's not an ideal preparation, to be honest,” said Djokovic, who will be seeded third at Roland Garros.

“I don't recall the last time I had in the last couple of years a preparation where I didn't have any kind of physical issues or health issues coming into the tournament. There's always something. Kind of a new reality that I have to deal with.”

It is a candid admission from a player whose career has been built on careful planning and physical resilience. Now he is facing the reality of an aging body.

“It is frustrating,” he said. “At the same time it's my decision to still perform in that kind of state and conditions.”

Djokovic’s record at Roland Garros shows why he cannot be ruled out. The absence of defending two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz also works in his favor.

 

Djokovic has won the French Open three times and is one of the few players to consistently challenge Rafael Nadal on clay. He has reached the quarterfinals or better at every edition since losing in the third round in 2009.

Here's Mr. Novak Djokovic.#RolandGarros @DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/MdLUvIE76i

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 19, 2026

Djokovic Knows What He Is Missing as Clay Demands Take Their Toll

“I see what I'm missing,” Djokovic said. 

He also knows that clay is physically demanding, and that the small losses that come with age are becoming harder to ignore.

“I see what I'm missing,” he said. “Late half a step. I'm not definitely where I want to be for the highest level and to compete at the highest level and to be able to get far.”

Recent seasons have shown how hard it is to maintain peak performance across a two-week Grand Slam. Matches that once swung his way now require him to play at his best from the first point to the last.

Djokovic admits his preparation has limits. “I train hard. I train as much as the body allows me to,” he said. “Then how it turns out on the court, that's really unpredictable.”

Even so, Djokovic is one of only two men to beat in-form title favorite Jannik Sinner this season. He ended Sinner’s run at the Australian Open.

In January, Djokovic produced what he called one of his best performances in a decade to beat the Italian in a five-set semifinal. He said the win was fueled by people who had written him off.

“I never stopped doubting. I never stopped believing in myself,” said the former world number one at the time.

“There's a lot of people that doubt me. I see there is a lot of experts all of a sudden that wanted to retire me or have retired me many times the last couple of years.

“I want to thank them all because they gave me strength. They gave me motivation to prove them wrong.”

Feel, the intensity at practice between Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev 🔥#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/9mlDHkWdgB

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 19, 2026

 

Djokovic later lost to Alcaraz in the final and has not won another Grand Slam since the 2023 US Open. Still, it would be a mistake to count him out, as he has proven many times before.