“You Can’t Cheat Time” – Novak Djokovic gets stern Tennis death warning
Novak Djokovic has been warned by former ATP Tour star Dmitry Tursunov that he cannot “cheat time” and avoid the end of his career, often referred to as his “tennis death.”
Djokovic has had a mixed start to 2025. He defeated Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling Australian Open quarter-final but had to retire injured against Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals.
That loss marked the fifth consecutive Grand Slam tournament Djokovic did not win, and 2024 was the first year since 2017 that the Serbian did not claim at least one major title.
In February, Djokovic was beaten 7-6(4), 6-2 by Matteo Berrettini at the Qatar Open – his first match since his Australian Open exit.
Injuries have been a big problem for Djokovic in the last year, and with his 38th birthday approaching in May, things are unlikely to get easier for the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
Tursunov, the former world No 20 and ex-coach of Emma Raducanu and Aryna Sabalenka, believes the biggest challenge for Djokovic now is his body.
“His own body is now his greatest opponent,” Tursunov said. “No matter how he tries to cheat time, ‘tennis death’ will eventually catch up with him. Of course, he still has the motivation to play at the highest level, but in tennis, you lose that feeling of immortality much faster than in other sports. Past achievements are quickly forgotten.”
Djokovic will begin his Indian Wells campaign on Saturday, facing Botic van de Zandschulp, who advanced to the second round after Nick Kyrgios retired injured in their opening match.
