Novak Djokovic is not even considering retirement yet. The 24-time Grand Slam champion claims that he is motivated to play at the top level using such examples of sports celebrities as LeBron James, Tom Brady, or Cristiano Ronaldo in the world.
Djokovic is 38 years old and is still one of the best men in the world. His championship win was in 2023, but he still remains at an elite level as he made the semifinals in all four majors this year and is currently ranked number 5 in the ATP ranking.
Djokovic said in Riyadh it is longevity that keeps him motivated, before his Semifinal match in the Six Kings Slam against Jannik Sinner of Italy.
One of my greatest inspirations is longevity. I would like to find out to what extent I can go, at the Joy Forum. Just think about LeBron James who is 40 years old and still playing, who thinks about Cristiano Ronaldo who is in his 40s and continuing to play or Tom Brady who is 40 and still playing — it is unbelievable. Their examples make me continue to push.
Djokovic also joyed in the fact that he was part of the next chapter of tennis.
He said that he would like to continue playing and see what happens to our sport. Tennis will be highly transformed, and I would like to be there when that occurs, not in the spectators side, but as a competitor of the process as it will be changed.
Serbian star, with his 100th career title won earlier this year in Geneva, was questioned whether he would have to be forced into retirement by younger stars such as Sinner and the world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic scoffed at the possibility.
I am sorry to disillusion them, said he with a laugh. “It’s just not happening.”
On Thursday, Djokovic will take on Sinner in Saudi Arabia in order to have a place in the final of the Six Kings Slam where he is likely to face Alcaraz.
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