After winning a record-tying 24th Grand Slam championship at the US Open, Novak Djokovic declared his intention to continue playing as long as he is still capable of contending for the greatest awards.
Djokovic, 36, beat Daniil Medvedev in straight sets to tie Margaret Court for the most major singles victories in history.
Djokovic has won half of his 24 Grand Slam titles since turning 30. In addition, the Serbian has triumphed in seven of the last ten majors.
“I’m going to continue. I feel great in my own body, you know. I still feel like my team, my family, and my surroundings are there for me, Djokovic added.
Grand Slams have always been my top focus and aspiration for the whole season.
Since I don’t participate in as many other competitions, I make preparing for Slams a priority in order to maximize my performance.
On Monday, Djokovic will take Alcaraz’s place at the top of the rankings for the record-extending 390th week. The only guy to defeat Djokovic in a Grand Slam this year was Alcaraz.
The Serbian’s attempt to complete a calendar Grand Slam was derailed by his five-set victory in the Wimbledon final, but any suggestion that this signaled the passing of the torch was disproved in New York.
Djokovic said, “I don’t want to get rid of this sport. Knowing that I play at such a high level still and that I win the greatest events in this sport, sure.
“If I’m still at the top and playing the way I’m playing, I don’t want to leave this sport.”
In a sport he has dominated for well over a decade, Djokovic acknowledged that there are occasions when he wonders about his future.
“Occasionally questioning myself, why do I need this still at this time after everything I have done, you know? How much longer do I want to continue? Of sure, I do have these questions in mind,” he said.
However, he has a tendency to set himself ever-higher ambitions, so until his body tells him differently, there aren’t many thoughts of hanging up his boots anytime soon.
“At this time, I haven’t decided how many Slams I want to win before my career is through. I honestly don’t have a number,” Djokovic remarked.
“I’ll continue to give them top priority as my most significant competitions and the venues where I want to play my best tennis.
“So that won’t alter. I don’t know how many more seasons I have in my legs, but that will remain the same in the next one. Let’s see, then.
Djokovic’s coach Goran Ivanisevic made light of the possibility that he would compete until the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028 due to his insatiable desire for victory.
He said that Djokovic had little chance of hanging up his racket even if he won the Australian Open next year and added a 25th Grand Slam title to his resume.
He enjoys difficulties and is simply having fun. If he wins 25, he’ll think, “If I win 25, why not 26,” as you asked me in reference to the number 25. Always there is one more, always there is more.
