Novak Djokovic, at 38 years old, remains an anomaly. In a sport increasingly defined by the explosive rivalry between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the Serbian legend has continued to carve out space for himself- not simply as a veteran hanging on, but as a player capable of semifinals at all four Majors, deep Masters 1000 runs, and titles when he chooses to play.
The 2025 season didn’t bring Grand Slam No. 25, but it delivered something equally extraordinary: a spot in the history books that neither of his Big 3 rivals ever reached.
A Season of Milestones Without a Major For Novak Djokovic
Djokovic’s year featured semifinal appearances at every Grand Slam, making him the oldest player ever to achieve that feat in a single season. He also lifted two trophies- his 100th title in Geneva and No. 101 in Athens- and extended his Masters 1000 legacy with a 60th final (Miami) and 80th semifinal (Shanghai).
His schedule was thinner than ever, yet when he did step on court, he performed at a level most players half his age can’t match. Even with missed events, including some Masters and eventually the ATP Finals, Djokovic never fell below No. 7 in the rankings all season.
He ends 2025 as World No. 4. More importantly, he ends it with a record that stands alone.
A Big 3 Record Broken at Last
Novak Djokovic’s No. 4 finish gives him 16 career Top-4 seasons, breaking his tie with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (15 each). None of his iconic rivals could match that level of consistency at the elite tier.
A few numbers underline the magnitude of the achievement:
- 8 of his Top-4 finishes were at World No. 1
- Federer and Nadal: 5 year-end No. 1s apiece
- Djokovic now owns 17 Top-5 finishes, the most in history
- And he has spent 808 weeks inside the Top 4- yet another record
Longevity has long been part of Djokovic’s legend. In 2025, it became a statistic impossible to overlook.
The Grand Slam Chase Continues
Novak Djokovic hasn’t won a Slam since the 2023 US Open, and the path to No. 25 has never been steeper. Sinner and Alcaraz have taken control of the sport, capturing the last eight Majors and raising standards to levels even Djokovic admits are “the toughest challenge of my career.”
Yet the chase continues. A 25th Slam would not only extend his record but would also make him the oldest Grand Slam champion in the Open Era, breaking Ken Rosewall’s mark set in 1972.
Djokovic has always thrived on proving people wrong. In 2026, he will attempt to do it again.
An Early End to the Season
The year concluded with disappointment. A shoulder injury suffered during his Athens title run forced Djokovic to withdraw from the ATP Finals, denying him the chance to match Federer’s record of 17 appearances at the year-end championships.
Ending the season early was the sensible choice, but it also underscored how carefully he must manage his body as he approaches 39.
Still, the determination hasn’t faded.
Djokovic recently shared his desire to continue until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where he hopes to represent Serbia one final time.
Also Read: Carlos Alcaraz Secures Year-End World No. 1 Ranking
Sinner and Alcaraz: The New Standard
While Novak Djokovic battled the limits of time, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz battled each other for supremacy.
Sinner followed his sensational 2024 with another commanding season, winning six titles, including two Grand Slams, and compiling a 57–6 record. He reached four Slam finals, and if not for a three-month doping ban, his trophy haul might have been even larger.
Four of his six losses came against Alcaraz, who once again denied him the French Open in one of the matches of the season- erasing a two-set deficit and saving multiple championship points.
Sinner capped the year by beating Alcaraz to win the ATP Finals for the second straight season. He now owns every Slam except Roland Garros and could complete the Career Grand Slam- or even the Calendar Slam- as soon as next year.
“Mostly I feel like I am a better player than last year,” Sinner said. “That’s the most important.”
