Novak Djokovic is not about to put away little yellow balls and rackets in the closet. On the sidelines of the Riyadh Tennis Cup in Saudi Arabia, this Tuesday, the 36-year-old world No.1 expressed his desire to prolong the pleasure. “I hope my career can extend to 40 and beyond. I feel good in my body. I play high-quality tennis,” confided the man with 24 Grand Slam tournaments.
To hear him say, “2023 was one of the best seasons of my life”, with the addition of three major titles – the Australian Open, Roland-Garros and the US Open – to an already well-stocked list of achievements. His model in this area? Tom Brady. The legend of American football, invited by the world number one during the last French Open, said goodbye to his discipline with 45 years under his belt.
“He is a superb example of a champion who had a great career and great longevity. “He spent a lot of time looking after himself and recovering well to make sure he addressed all aspects of his body and mind in order to have a long and successful career.”
“We proved them wrong”
Asked about Rafael Nadal, another veteran, Novak Djokovic is categorical. “He’s not the type to come back to the circuit just to play, let’s say, at an average level, to play a few matches. He wants to win titles, he wants to be the best, that’s why he is what he is: a legend of our sport,” said the Serbian about the Spaniard whose return is planned during the tournament of Brisbane, which begins on Sunday. At 37, Nadal, who had an almost blank 2023 season due to a hip injury, risks living his “last year” on the circuit without being able to “guarantee it 100%”, a- he warned.
Winner of 22 major titles Nadal has not played again since the 2023 Australian Open and his elimination in the second round in three straight sets by the American Mackenzie McDonald. “Some have often announced it as being near the end, as they did for me. But we proved them wrong,” Djokovic told media including AFP.
In the meantime, Novak Djokovic will cross paths with Carlos Alcaraz, another Spaniard, this Wednesday afternoon in an exhibition match. He will then head to Perth where he will play the United Cup, his preparation event for the Australian Open (January 14-28).
