Novak Djokovic recently suggested that he would like to retire from tennis after the 2028 Olympic Games, which are to be held in Los Angeles, USA.
The Serbian star, who recently withdrew from the ATP Finals due to a shoulder injury, made the comments after winning his 101st ATP Tour title at the Athens Open.
If Djokovic were to retire after the 2028 Olympics, he would be 41 years old.
However, few would bet against Djokovic fulfilling this dream. After all, he is one of the most well-conditioned athletes in tennis history, and has achieved more than even he could have predicted at the start of his career.
Djokovic, who holds the record for the most weeks spent at world number one [428], is still searching for a 25th Grand Slam singles title, which would separate him from Margaret Court’s total of 24.
This could be a key motivating factor for Djokovic if he decides to extend his career to 2028, and if he does play until then, it will further illuminate his greatness.
Andy Roddick hopes Novak Djokovic will retire after the 2028 Olympics
Andy Roddick, a former world number one, has weighed in on Djokovic’s recent comments regarding his future retirement.
Roddick, the 2003 US Open champion, remains the last American man to win a Grand Slam singles title.
Regarding Djokovic, Roddick made the comments while speaking on his ‘Served’ podcast.
“I don’t think so, I hope I’m wrong,” Roddick said.
“I’ve got to give him props, because him saying I still want to retire at the LA Olympics, with the Serbian flag in my hand, was the perfect way to address many, many issues that are going on for him right now.”
Djokovic will now look ahead to the new year, specifically the Australian Open. Djokovic is the most successful player in tournament history with 10 titles to his name, and if he is going to win a 25th major anywhere, it will most likely be in Melbourne.
How old were Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer when they retired?
Of the ‘big three’, Roger Federer was the first to retire. The Swiss legend was 41 years old when he stepped onto court for the final time at the 2022 Laver Cup.
As for Rafael Nadal, he was 38 years old when he made his final appearance at the 2024 Davis Cup, where he represented Spain for the final time.
After the match, Nadal told the Spanish crowd in Malaga: “It has been 20 years of a professional career in which you have carried me through the good times, and in the bad you pushed me to keep playing,” Nadal told the crowd.
“I want to congratulate the Netherlands and thank the whole Spanish team that is here, who have let me play the Davis Cup again, which has not gone as we all wanted. I have given everything I had.
“The truth is that you never want to get to this point. I’m not tired of playing tennis but my body doesn’t want to play anymore and you have to accept that. I feel super privileged, I’ve been able to make my hobby my profession for a long time.”
