Djokovic hint that we have see the last of him in Australia

Was it a goodbye speech to Australia from Novak Djokovic after he fell to Carlos Alcaraz in the mens final?

It sure sounded that way.

Having suffered his first ever defeat in the Australian Open final, at 38-years-old, it wouldn't come as a surprise to many if Djokovic decided that his time in the sport may soon be up.

But are we ready for it?

As he addressed the crowd on Rod Laver Arena, there was a sense that it could have been his last opportunity to speak to a stadium that has been so successful for him.

"This is my 21st year coming to Australia," he said. "I always believe in myself, it is something needed at this level.

"I must be honest and say I didn’t think I would be standing in a closing ceremony of a grand slam once again. I owe you (the crowd) the gratitude.

"God knows what happens tomorrow let alone in six months or 12 months. It has been a great ride. I love you guys."

It was the final sentence that got many, including SEN's Sam Groth, thinking this was the end of the greatest era in men's tennis.

"It certainly sounded like we are heading towards the end," Groth said on SEN. "Everything has to align for him to win a 25th. I think for him it was so close for the stars coming together.

"I still think he is the GOAT, and I've had a love-hate relationship with Novak, but his numbers do stack up with that. He has divided opinion. Those that love him love him, those that don’t don’t.

"The crowd ate up every word he spoke last night. They realised they were likely seeing the end of the GOAT.

"What he produced was freakish. When you get towards the end I think people see how lucky they have been to have seen one of the greatest and to have seen someone in the greatest era of tennis."

Jim Courier echoed Groth's sentiment.

“Felt that way,” Courier said when asked if that was a goodbye. “Only he knows for sure whether he will give it another shot here.

“But if that was goodbye, that was one great finish for him to make it as far as he did, to have that win against Jannik Sinner and the way the semi-final did kind of feel like that was his final.

“He knew it was going to be very, very difficult to get past both of these guys, and he just didn’t have the legs in him to do it.”

Djokovic shared some kinds words for the man that defeated him.

At just 22-years-old, Alcaraz created his own slice of history by becoming the oungest player and only the ninth male to win the career slam.

"First congratulations Carlos," Djokovic said. "Amazing tournament and amazing couple of weeks.

"What you have been doing is historic, legendary. I wish you the best. Good luck for the rest of your career. I’m sure we will be seeing each other many more times in the next 10 years."

SEN Tennis expert and The First Serve's Brett Phillips expects Djokovic to continue playing in 2026, but acknowledges breaking through for his 25th slam will be a tough task.

"We didn't expect him to be in the final but you deal with the cards that are dealt," he said on SEN1170 Breakfast.

"He'll keep fronting up and is playing a reduced schedule. The 38-year-old has shown that he's still got it.

"It elevates him as the greatest in the sport but it's going to be tough. I still think it's a mountain too big to climb but it's great that he's still here."