For over two decades, Novak Djokovic has been synonymous with endurance, elasticity, and an almost superhuman ability to outlast his rivals. But even the greatest bodies feel the passage of time. Just weeks after candidly speaking about “rebuilding his body” with the help of cutting-edge technology, the 24-time Grand Slam champion has taken another decisive step toward the future.

Earlier this month, during an interview with Sky Sports, Djokovic said, “I've been getting injured more often than not in the last 18 months, so I'm trying to rebuild my body so the start of the next season will be great, and hopefully, I can keep it up with the best guys.” His last success at the Grand Slam stage came at the 2023 US Open. Ever since then, it has been ‌sheer dominance from next-gen stars Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. His recent addition of Dr. Mark Kovacs to his team signals a clear intent to fine-tune not just his game but the engine that powers it.

Novak Djokovic’s recent seasons have been punctuated by frequent injury scares - moments that forced him to listen closely to his body while still competing at the very top of the sport. Rather than slowing down, Djokovic appears to be doubling down on evolution. Dr. Kovacs will work closely with him on physical conditioning, injury prevention, biomechanics, recovery, and on-court performance optimization, areas that have become increasingly vital as the Serb charts the latter stages of his career.

Kovacs is also known for being a ‘serve doctor,’ and he has previously worked with several tennis stars like John Isner, Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys, and Coco Gauff. Do you know that Kovacs has also worked with Jakub Mensik between 2024 and 2025?

In addition to tennis, he has also gained working experience across various sports, including the NFL, NBA, and MLB. So, it’ll be interesting to see how this vastly experienced coach helps Novak Djokovic find his best against players like Alcaraz and Sinner.

As Djokovic rebuilds and trains hard for the upcoming season, the message is unmistakable. This is not a farewell phase - it’s a recalibration. With a renewed focus on science-based conditioning and long-term health, Djokovic is laying the groundwork for 2026 and beyond. But does he have any chance of winning a Grand Slam title in the rest of his career?

Tennis bigwigs analyze Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam hopes

Novak Djokovic stands at a rare crossroads. A figure who has defined an era, the Serbian legend enters a new chapter in his storied career - older in calendar years but still fiercely competitive in spirit. As the tennis world watches, experts and insiders are now weighing in: Can Djokovic realistically chase more Grand Slams in the years ahead?

This year, he became the oldest man in the Open Era to reach all four Slam semifinals. But in most cases, his journey came to an end at the hands of either Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner. Speaking about the main reason for being the second best against these two, he once said, “Best-of-five makes it very, very difficult for me to play them, particularly if it's the end stages of the Grand Slam.”

Fans may worry a bit seeing his performance against these in the majors. But according to the former Ukrainian pro, Sergiy Stakhovsky, “Novak has all the possibilities in the world to win another Grand Slam.” He claims that Djokovic’s excellent track record in Australia gives him plenty of reasons to think about his approach to this tournament. So if his health and motivation permit, Stakhovsky sees the Serb winning another Slam.

Even Jim Courier had a similar thing to say. “I think if he’s healthy, I think he still has a shot. I think he’s still in that conversation with those guys, but it’s clear, I guess, especially against Sinner, that it’s been pretty difficult for him.” However, John McEnroe claimed, “As time goes on, even he, you would think it would get tougher for, but this is going to get a whole lot tougher.”

According to Serena Williams’ childhood coach, Rick Macci, Novak Djokovic has the capability of winning his 25th Grand Slam in 2026. He highlighted how the Serb has made strong comebacks time and again in his career.

But as per Aussie legend, Rennae Stubbs, the 2026 AO could possibly be his chance to win a Grand Slam, and hence, she feels that he’ll give his best at Melbourne Park next year. Djokovic has won ten AO titles in his career. Do you think he can grab his 11th in 2026?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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