Novak Djokovic in danger of losing one of his best-ever records to Rafael Nadal
Novak Djokovic holds several of the most impressive records in men’s tennis after two decades of dominating the very top of the sport.
The Serbian has, of course, claimed more Grand Slam titles than anyone else in the sport, with 24 to his name currently.
He also holds the record for the most weeks at world No 1, he’s the only player to achieve a triple Career Grand Slam, and he was the first player to achieve the Career Golden Masters.
Djokovic also holds the record for the highest winning percentage in men’s tennis history, but he could be in danger of losing that next season to Rafael Nadal.
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The Serbian currently sits at a winning percentage of 82.97%, just edging the 82.57% Nadal managed when he retired from the sport back in 2024.
However, with Djokovic still active on the ATP Tour, his percentage is slowly dropping closer and closer to Nadal’s.
Djokovic has proved in recent years that he is increasingly beatable and 2026 has been no different.
He’s suffered strange defeats to the likes of Thiago Agustin Tirante, Mariano Navone, and Hubert Hurkacz in the early rounds of tournaments in 2026.
Djokovic ended the season with a 21-10 record, which equates to 67.74% winning percentage across the season.
If Djokovic continues on the trajectory in 2027 then there is every chance his winning percentage will drop below that of Nadal’s 82.57%.
But Djokovic shows no signs that he plans to slow down. In fact, the Serbian has said he wants to retire at the 2028 Olympic in Los Angeles.
That would mean he plays another two seasons and it is hard to see the star earning a good enough winning percentage to hold on to his record.
Djokovic has played a limited schedule in recent years, but he made a number of rare stops this season that he hasn’t tended to do in recent history.
He played the Swiss Indoors for the first time since 2010, the China Open for the first time since 2015, and he also made rare appearances at Indian Wells and the Italian Open.
If Djokovic were to play another 10 tournaments in the 2027 season, he would likely need to avoid early exits which he was unable to do this year.
Djokovic was knocked out in his opening round match at the Italian Open, the Cincinnati Open, the US Open, and the Shanghai Masters in the 2026 season.
For now, we know that Djokovic has every intention to play the Australian Open next year, but he is yet to confirm the rest of his 2027 schedule.
