:focal(2380.5x1595.5:2390.5x1585.5):watermark(cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ipmgroup/6LJWAO74QZHR7KW5AX2LGSOHQQ.png,0,-0,0,100)/cloudfront-eu-central-1.images.arcpublishing.com/ipmgroup/ZGYCS24CIRCSVC3DJQGPOSEWS4.jpg)
With all the hubbub heard around the return and then the injury of Rafael Nadal at the start of the 2024 season, Novak Djokovic went a little under the radar during his preparation for the Australian Open. Injured in the right wrist, “the more I play, the more it hurts”, during his defeat against Alex de Minaur at the United Cup last week, the Serbian trained normally on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Rod Laver Arena . A good omen before the start of a Grand Slam which he has won ten times.
“I started this season as usual, arriving early in Australia,” Nole explained to the media in his country. I love playing here, it’s the place where I’ve had the most success in my entire Grand Slam career. I always have a very clear idea of what I want and what my goals are?”
If, sportingly, they are easily detectable with in the coming months the desire to add Grand Slam titles to his tally but also to win Olympic gold in Paris, Novak Djokovic also looked at the image that he would like us to keep after he has put away his rackets.
Djokovic’s wrist injury.
“One of my biggest wishes, and one that truly motivates me, is to be remembered as someone who used my status and influence to help improve sport and living conditions other tennis players. Of course, I would also like to be remembered as someone who dedicated his whole life to this sport, who played it with his heart and guts, who gave it his all, and who, I hope inspired a lot of young people to pick up a racquet.”
Asked about when he might retire, the world number one, who will be 37 in May, was philosophical but also melancholy: “To be honest, it’s me who is racking my brains. There’s still that kid in me who loves playing tennis and wants to continue doing it. But, on the other hand, I am also the father of two children (Editor’s note: Stefan, nine years old, and Tara, six years old). Every time I have to leave my family for a long period of time, it breaks my heart. That’s why I always say to myself: ‘How much longer do I have to play? How many tournaments do I still have to play? Is it still worth it?’”
2024-01-11 14:59:00
#Australian #Open #Novak #Djokovic #discusses #retirement #breaks #heart
