The Serbian Novak Djokovic in action during his semi-final against the Italian Jannik Sinner. | Photo credit: Reuters
Novak Djokovic has no plans to retire from tennis, with the 24-time Grand Slam winner citing NBA great LeBron James, former NFL player Tom Brady and veteran footballer Cristiano Ronaldo as his inspiration to keep playing.
The 38-year-old’s last Grand Slam victory came in 2023, but the Serb shows no signs of slowing down after reaching the semi-finals of all four majors this year and is currently ranked fifth in the world.
“Longevity is one of my biggest motivations. I really want to see how far I can go,” Djokovic said at the Joy Forum in Riyadh.
“If you see LeBron James in all global sports, he is still going strong, he is 40, Cristiano Ronaldo and Tom Brady played until he was 40 years old.
“I mean, it’s incredible. They inspire me too. So I want to keep going and that’s one of the motivations that I have.”
Djokovic was also keen to be part of the evolving future of his sport.
“I also want to live to see, to live and still continue to play professionally, to see the change that is coming for our sport,” he said.
“And I’m super excited about it. I feel like tennis is a sport that can change a lot and will change a lot.
“I want to be part of that change. Not only do I want to be part of that change, but I want to play as we rejuvenate our sport a little bit and set the new platform that will last for decades to come.”
Djokovic, who won his 100th career title in Geneva this year, was asked whether the younger players, such as Sinner and Alcaraz, will have to beat him until he retires.
“I’m sorry to disappoint them, but that just doesn’t happen,” he said.
Published – Oct 17, 2025 05:38 IST
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