Novak Djokovic turns 39 this yr, and the tennis legend has a good suggestion of how lengthy he’d prefer to preserve taking part in.
Novak Djokovic has hopes of competing within the 2028 Olympics (Picture: Getty)
Novak Djokovic has reiterated his hopes of taking part in till the LA 2028 Olympics, when he will probably be 41 years previous. The Serbian celebrity holds virtually each file within the sport and has achieved all the pieces potential. He’s spent essentially the most weeks at No. 1 on this planet, gained 24 Majors, Olympic gold, and numerous ATP Tour titles. Djokovic has fielded loads of retirement questions in recent times, particularly after getting his palms on a long-awaited gold medal in Paris two years in the past.
However Djokovic has made it clear that he’s not prepared to hold up his racket simply but. He not too long ago completed runner-up on the Australian Open, his first Grand Slam last in 18 months. And extra importantly, he nonetheless has desires of competing in yet another Olympic Video games earlier than he retires, regardless that he is aware of it could possibly be very troublesome to maintain taking part in that lengthy.
The following Olympics will probably be staged in Los Angeles in a bit of over two years. Djokovic is nicely accustomed to competing in California, with the primary Masters 1000 occasion of the season – usually dubbed the ‘fifth Grand Slam’ – going down in Indian Wells. And after successful his opening match within the Cali desert, Djokovic was requested about his 2028 Olympics dream.
“Yeah, it could be good. That is one of many long-term targets, let’s name it, a approach to attain the Olympics. That may be good. I discussed it a few instances within the final yr or so,” the 38-year-old replied.
“You already know, it is nonetheless a good distance. I feel at my age and my stage of my profession, yearly looks like, you understand, longer interval than for anybody else who’s youthful. However I am going to attempt to make it, undoubtedly one of many motivations, so attempt to be there.”
The world No. 3 returned to motion in Indian Wells on Saturday, taking part in his first match since shedding that Aussie Open last to Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic has had blended ends in the Californian desert – he gained 5 titles between 2008 and 2016, however since then, he’s not even reached the quarter-finals.
Novak Djokovic suffered a scare as he dropped the primary set in opposition to Kamil Majchrzak (Picture: Getty)
The Serb suffered a scare when he went a double break all the way down to Kamil Majchrzak and dropped the primary set, however he stormed again to say a 4-6 6-1 6-2 victory, his first win right here since 2024. Afterwards, Djokovic sparked concern when he defined simply how difficult it was for him to compete in Indian Wells.
“Properly, it was very difficult, as it’s currently for me in Indian Wells, to be trustworthy. It’s sort of laborious to search out my A-game, significantly in the beginning of the event within the final seven, eight years of coming right here, so simply glad to beat a problem,” the third seed stated on court docket.
“Look, I imply, clearly various factors are in play, you understand? I do know what I must do on the court docket, however clearly, it’s utterly completely different practising and taking part in these observe units, and coming into the official match. I discover that the wind right here is without doubt one of the hardest on the tour, simply on a day like this, with the gusts of wind coming out and in, altering instructions, it’s so, so troublesome, significantly on this finish of the court docket, and it simply places further pressure. After which in the event you’re tight, in the event you’re not feeling the ball nicely, then you might be in massive bother. It’s what occurred for me within the first set, within the final couple years.”
Djokovic will subsequent face Aleksandar Kovacevic as he appears to be like to achieve the final 16 in Indian Wells.
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