Novak Djokovic has kept fans guessing on his future after delivering an emotional runner's-up speech to the Australian Open crowd before later declaring he will keep pushing for another grand slam.
The superstar Serb was scintillating as he claimed the opening set of Sunday's final against world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz but was eventually overrun 2-6 6-2 6-3 7-5, falling short of a record 25th singles slam.
Ten-time champion Djokovic, stranded on 24 majors alongside Margaret Court, was emotional as he thanked the crowd, indicating 2026 could have been his last campaign in Melbourne.
"God knows what happens tomorrow, let alone in six months or 12 months, so it has been a great ride. I love you guys," the 38-year-old said.
Djokovic, now world No.3, later stressed he believed he could still compete with Alcaraz and world No.2 Jannik Sinner.
"I always believe I can. Otherwise, I wouldn't be competing, and I said this numerous times," Djokovic said.
"It's great that I was able to beat Jannik in five and really battle Carlos in four close sets.
"That's sport, but of course, when you draw a line and you make assessment of what happened last couple of weeks, it's incredible achievement for me to be able to play finals, be couple of sets away maybe to win a championship."
Djokovic's dramatic semi-final win over Sinner and a scintillating opening set against Alcaraz underlined the 38-year-old's belief he can still go toe-to-toe with the star pair, who have shared the past nine slams.
"I knew that I'd probably have to beat two of them on the way to the title," Djokovic said.
"I beat one, which is great, so it's a step more further than I have gone in grand slams than last year. Very nice, encouraging.
"But, you know, not enough for me. Yeah, let's see. I'm going to keep pushing and see if I get another chance."
On court, Djokovic conceded he didn't imagine he would feature in the closing ceremony of a grand slam again.
"I have belief, and I have always confidence and vision to win a slam, another slam anywhere, to win anywhere where I play, but I did not expect it. That's different," he said.
"I lowered my expectations last couple of years, which also, I think, allows me to be able to let go of some of that unnecessary additional stress.
"It's always tension and stress and pressure, and I just don't want to be overwhelmed by it.
"It also feels good a little bit not being always the main favourite to win slams. I think that kind of gives you a little bit of that extra motivation, I guess, when it comes down to the last rounds of the slam."
Djokovic closed his press conference by jokingly noting of Alcaraz, 22, and 24-year-old Sinner: "The two of them, I guess, are going to be fighting for biggest titles, and then the youngsters like myself are going to try to catch up."
