As Rafael Nadal’s retirement fast approaches, one tennis icon has revealed what will make Novak Djokovic follow suit by hanging up his own racket.

Novak Djokovic has been tipped to retire – but only on one condition (Image: Getty)

Tennis icon Jimmy Connors has predicted Novak Djokovic will only retire when the next generation of stars force him out of the sport he’s dominated for so long. The Serb will soon be the last man standing from tennis’ ‘Big Three’ as Rafael Nadal prepares to join Roger Federer in retirement.

The Spanish legend recently revealed he’ll hang up his racket for good following the upcoming Davis Cup Finals. And soon eyes will turn to 37-year-old Djokovic and when he intends to call time on arguably the greatest men’s singles career in the history of the sport.

But as would only be suitable for a man of his competitive spirit, the 24-time Grand Slam champion will only take his leave when the fresh blood force him out. And according to Connors, it doesn’t look as though that’s in any way imminent.

“It’s hard for me to say he has had a drop in motivation because he does everything throughout the day to make himself as good as he can be,” he said on his Advantage Connors podcast. “With his training and his eating, everything about his day is centred around tennis and being the best he can be.”

Eight-time major-winner Connors went on to acknowledge “getting older is getting older” and suggested some on the ATP circuit may view ‘Nole’ as that “old, grey mare.” However, he also believes Djokovic has plenty to offer in terms of still giving the young bucks in the field a run for their money.

“But he has got the kind of game I like. He has a good return, an aggressive return. I am not counting him out ever,” added Connors. “He’s got guts, the game, and intensity. He is like [Rafael] Nadal, he’s not going to go out there unless he is ready to play.

Tennis legend Jimmy Connors was 43 when he retired from the sport (Image: Getty)

“We talk about [Jannik] Sinner and [Carlos] Alcaraz, but the only way he’s going to say it’s time to go is if some of those other guys start stepping up too, or else he’ll keep hanging on. And what’s wrong with that?”

It was only last year that Djokovic matched the best season of his career to date as far as the Grand Slams are concerned, winning three majors and reaching all four finals. He experienced a drop-off in 2024 as he failed to win any Grand Slam for the first time since 2017, though he did celebrate his first Olympic gold at Paris 2024.

Sinner and Alcaraz are doing their part to prove they’ve got what it takes to accept the torch being passed on. The former won both the Australian Open and US Open this year, while Alcaraz accounted for both the French Open and Wimbledon titles.

Should the new dynasty in men’s tennis continue to run interference in preventing Djokovic adding to his major collection, it’s possible the veteran may call it a day sooner rather than later. But Connors still sees all the same qualities that will make the game’s most winningest disciple a threat at the elite level for some time to come.