Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in motion throughout his semi-final match towards Italy’s Jannik Sinner.
| Picture Credit score: Reuters
Novak Djokovic has no plans to retire from tennis with the 24-times Grand Slam winner citing NBA nice LeBron James, former NFL participant Tom Brady and veteran footballer Cristiano Ronaldo as his inspiration to maintain enjoying.
The 38-year-old’s final Grand Slam win got here in 2023, however the Serbian reveals no indicators of slowing down having reached the semis of all 4 majors this 12 months and is at the moment ranked quantity 5 on this planet.
“Longevity is considered one of my largest motivations. I actually need to see how far I can go,” Djokovic mentioned on the Pleasure Discussion board in Riyadh.
“In case you see throughout all the worldwide sports activities, LeBron James, he is nonetheless going robust, he is 40, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Tom Brady performed until he was 40-something years previous.
“I imply, it is unbelievable. They’re inspiring me as effectively. So I need to maintain going and that is one of many motivations I’ve.”
Djokovic was additionally wanting to be part of his sport’s evolving future.
“I need to additionally dwell to see, dwell which means nonetheless carry on enjoying professionally, to see the change that’s coming for our sport,” he mentioned.
“And I am tremendous enthusiastic about it. I really feel like tennis is a sport that may be enormously, and will probably be enormously remodeled.
“I need to be a part of that change. I need to be not simply a part of that change, however I need to be enjoying once we sort of rejuvenate our sport and set the brand new platform that’s going to go on for many years to return.”
Djokovic, who received his a hundredth profession title in Geneva this 12 months, was requested whether or not the youthful gamers, the likes of Sinner and Alcaraz, might want to beat him into retirement.
“I am sorry to disappoint them, it is simply not occurring,” he mentioned.
Printed – October 17, 2025 05:38 am IST
