Novak Djokovic: I still feel like I have a few more Grand Slams to win
Novak Djokovic has joked that he ‘feels sorry’ for people wanting him to retire, with the 24-time Grand Slam champion revealing his hunger for more success.
Djokovic played Rafael Nadal in the third placed match at the Six Kings Slam exhibition yesterday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the former winning in straight sets.
This was their final ever match against one another as professional tennis players before Nadal retires next month, and Djokovic was full of praise for his greatest rival.
“Don’t leave tennis man. Stay a little bit more, stay with us,” Djokovic said to Nadal. “I will finish with one big thank you, not just from me, but all of the tennis world for what you’ve done.
“You’ve left an incredible legacy and mark, and we really appreciate you. We are standing here almost 20 years later [after their first match] with more than 60 matches against each other on the biggest stage in this sport. I have the utmost respect for you. An incredible athlete, an incredible person.”
Later on in the day, Djokovic spoke to Argentinian media outlet La Nacion about his own future in the sport, admitting that he still believes he has more major titles to win.
“Deep down, I still feel like I have a few more Grand Slams to win,” revealed the 37-year-old. “That’s what drives me to compete, to feel like I can still do it, and to play the Davis Cup for Serbia. I love playing for Serbia. Tennis is still my biggest platform for sharing the messages that I care about, whether it’s related to tennis, society or business. I still feel that I enjoy the process and it brings me all these benefits, so why not?”
Djokovic continued, “Some people think I should leave tennis on a high: ‘You won gold, you won everything, say goodbye.’ Some people think I should keep going as long as I still think I can be the favourite for a Grand Slam. I think more like them. Maybe I will change my mind. I don’t know.
“For now I feel like I want to keep going. How much longer? Travelling and finding motivation is becoming more difficult for me. It’s not easy. And even less so with children. I don’t want to be away from home for so long, but I still have the drive. So I feel sorry for those who want me to retire, because they will have to see me for a while longer.”
Djokovic did not add to his Grand Slam tally this year, in the first season that he has not won a major title since 2017, and the first year that neither himself, Nadal, Roger Federer were a major champion in 22 years.
The Serbian is set to return to action at the Paris Masters in just over a weeks time, with the potential of qualifying for the ATP Finals to close his 2024 season.
The last dance was an epic one. And of course emotional. I’ll cherish our rivalry forever, @rafaelnadal 👑. Tennis will miss you.
As-salamu alaykum, Riyadh. #SixKingsSlam is a special tournament. See you soon 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/CnBswzZnLy
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) October 19, 2024
Inside the baseline…
Although Novak Djokovic does not still have the same motivation to compete all year round, his desire to win the biggest events is still very much present. One of the reasons that probably keeps this going is the fact that he is still equal with Margaret Court with 24 singles major titles and will want to have that record all to himself. Although Djokovic has not had his best season, he has still reached the latter stages of three of four Grand Slam tournaments this year and could challenge once again in 2025. However, it may also depend on Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who just seem to have that top level to beat Djokovic at the moment.
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