Andre Agassi is predicting how Novak Djokovic‘s tennis career could end. His theory is based on his experience as a player in his mid-thirties.
Agassi recently spoke about how losing Djokovic’s biggest rivals, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, will hurt him psychologically. He compared it to how he felt when Pete Sampras retired. Agassi said it took him time to regroup after Sampras officially left the game.
As a result, Agassi believes Djokovic’s motivation will leave him before his abilities. This is an interesting thought since Djokovic has been one of the most motivated and hyper-focused tennis players on the ATP Tour for nearly 20 years.
Agassi once coached Djokovic so he knows him well. His rationale could be why Djokovic selected Andy Murray as his coach for January 2025. Murray was one of Djokovic’s peers. They are the same age and have a good relationship.
Is Andre Agassi Right About Novak Djokovic?
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal retired because their bodies gave out. They were still psychologically engaged in the game, but age and the physical rigors of long tennis careers prevailed. Djokovic’s body is starting to give him issues, especially his knee. He did not win a Grand Slam in 2024 though his crowning achievement was earning the elusive Olympic gold medal in Paris.
Novak Djokovic has nothing else to prove so perhaps his motivation will wane. His generational peers are retired, going on vacations, and living their post-tennis lives to the fullest.
However, Djokovic is wired differently. He is sticking around to win more Grand Slams. If he cannot do that in 2025, physical and mental exhaustion could cause him to leave the game.
At this point, watching Djokovic play competitive tennis is a treasure, and tennis fans should enjoy it for as long as possible.
