While older players in tennis can be appreciated, fans are usually looking for the next young phenom rising through the ranks.
While most tennis players leave singles competition by their early 30s and switch to doubles to preserve their physical health, a select few have held on longer and maintained a high level of play.
The oldest person to win a singles tennis Grand Slam in the Open Era (since 1968) is currently Ken Rosewall. The Australian-born tennis player won the 1972 Australian Open shortly after turning 37. The 2026 Australian Open final will feature the 38-year-old Novak Djokovic facing off with the 22-year-old Carlos Alcaraz.
Djokovic is already considered one of the greatest tennis players in history, but he could add another accomplishment to his ever-increasing list of accolades if he is able to beat Alcaraz.
Here is more on how Djokovic can make history by winning the 2026 Australian Open.
How old is Novak Djokovic?
Djokovic was born on May 22, 1987 and is 38 years old. On the day of the 2026 Australian Open final, he will be 38 years, 8 months and 10 days old. Djokovic would become the first person over the age of 38 to ever win a tennis Grand Slam, and he will have to get through the 22-year-old Alcaraz to achieve it.
Djokovic will already be the oldest men’s singles finalist at the Australian Open in the Open Era, surpassing the previous record held by Ken Rosewall. Win or lose, Djokovic will already make a little bit of history at the 2026 Australian Open Final.
Oldest tennis players to win a grand slam
While tennis is often thought of as a young person’s game, we have seen some sustained careers over the sport’s history. Tennis is still awaiting the first 40-year-old to ever win a singles Grand Slam title, but Djokovic has a chance to become the first 38-year-old to ever win a tennis major as a singles competitor, and he would achieve it just shy of his 39th birthday.
Here is a look at the oldest tennis players to win a singles Grand Slam title in the Open Era (since 1968). Djokovic already appears in the top 10, three times.
| Rank | Name | Age | Year | Tournament |
| 1 | Ken Rosewall | 37 years, 1 month, 24 days | 1972 | Australian Open |
| 2 | Roger Federer | 36 years, 5 months, 7 days | 2018 | Australian Open |
| 3 | Ken Rosewall | 36 years, 4 months, 5 days | 1971 | Australian Open |
| 4 | Novak Djokovic | 36 years, 3 months, 6 days | 2023 | U.S. Open |
| 5 | Novak Djokovic | 36 years, 7 days | 2023 | French Open |
| 6 | Rafael Nadal | 35 years, 11 months, 19 days | 2022 | French Open |
| 7 | Roger Federer | 35 years, 10 months, 26 days | 2017 | Wimbledon |
| 8 | Ken Rosewall | 35 years, 10 months | 1970 | U.S. Open |
| 9 | Novak Djokovic | 35 years, 7 months, 25 days | 2023 | Australian Open |
| 10 | Rafael Nadal | 35 years, 7 months, 14 days | 2022 | Australian Open |
| 11 | Roger Federer | 35 years, 5 months, 8 days | 2017 | Australian Open |
| 12 | Serena Williams | 35 years, 4 months, 2 days | 2017 | Australian Open |
| 13 | Novak Djokovic | 35 years, 1 month, 5 days | 2022 | Wimbledon |
| 14 | Andres Gimeno | 34 years, 9 months, 19 days | 1972 | French Open |
| 15 | Rafael Nadal | 34 years, 3 months, 25 days | 2020 | French Open |
