Novak Djokovic has made it clear he’s not ready to hang up his racquet just yet, saying he remains as motivated as ever to keep competing at the highest level.
The 24-time grand slam champion, now 38, said he draws inspiration from sporting greats who have defied age and expectations – including NBA star LeBron James, NFL legend Tom Brady and footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.
Djokovic, who is in Saudi Arabia for the Six Kings Slam exhibition event, dismissed retirement rumours during an interview at the Joy Forum.
“Longevity is one of my biggest motivations. I really want to see how far I can go,” the tennis player said.
“If you see across all the global sports, LeBron James, he’s still going strong, he’s 40, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Tom Brady played till he was 40-something years old. I mean, it’s unbelievable. They’re inspiring me as well. So I want to keep going, and that’s one of the motivations I have.”
Despite his last grand slam win coming in 2023, the Serbian star has remained in top form this season, reaching the semifinals of all four majors and maintaining his place in the top five world rankings.
Djokovic is set to face Italian Jannik Sinner for a spot in the final against world number one Carlos Alcaraz.
The tennis veteran also spoke about his desire to witness and take part in the next era of the sport.
“I want to also live to see, live meaning still keep on playing professionally, to see the change that is coming for our sport,” he said.
“And I’m super excited about it. I feel like tennis is a sport that can be greatly, and will be greatly transformed.
“I want to be part of that change. I want to be not just part of that change, but I want to be playing when we kind of rejuvenate our sport and set the new platform that is going to go on for decades to come.”
Djokovic, who claimed his 100th career title earlier this year in Geneva, had a clear message for the next generation of players.
When asked if the likes of Sinner and Alcaraz would need to beat him into retirement, he replied, “I’m sorry to disappoint them, it’s just not happening.”
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