Djokovic not ready to retire yet
“Longevity is one of my biggest motivations,” Djokovic said in Riyadh, downplaying any impression that he might retire soon.
Novak Djokovic, Shanghai 2025 | © Imago / PsNewz
At 38, Novak Djokovic shows no sign of slowing down. Speaking at the JOY Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the 24-time Grand Slam champion reaffirmed that longevity remains one of his greatest motivations – and retirement is far from his plans, despite what he said earlier this season at Roland-Garros.
“Longevity is one of my biggest motivations,” Djokovic said, drawing parallels with global icons who have redefined athletic careers well into their forties: LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Tom Brady. “If you see across all the global sports, LeBron James he is still going strong, he is 40, Cristiano Ronaldo, Tom Brady played until he was 40-something years old, it is unbelievable.”
“They are inspiring me as well, so I want to keep going… I want to live to see, live meaning keep on playing professionally, what is coming for our sport. In the next couple of years, tennis is a sport that can be greatly transformed and I want to be part of that change.”
Djokovic is still hungry
Djokovic’s words echo his competitive stance throughout 2025. The Serbian star, part of the 6 Kings Slam exhibition series that gathered the sport’s top figures, continues to measure himself against history while staying motivated by the evolution of tennis itself. His message is less about nostalgia and more about transformation.
For those accustomed to reading signs of an imminent retirement tour, like his multiple withdrawals in Masters 1000, Djokovic’s remarks stand in contrast. He has always been vocal about maintaining his physical and mental edge, and the reference to longevity – inspired by elite athletes from other sports – aligns with his track record of constant self-reinvention.
The Serbian’s career, already the most decorated in tennis history with 24-Slam wins, now enters a fascinating phase: less about chasing records and more about redefining the limits of an active sporting life and challeging the greatest of the game who prevented him from reaching a Grand Slam final in 2025, with a semifinal in each of the major competitions.
“Hard to overcome hurdles like Sinner and Alcaraz”
Djokovic talked before losing the Six Kings Slam semifinal against Jannik Sinner (6-4, 6-2). The 38-year-old has now failed to beat the world No. 2 in two years, losing his last eight meetings with Sinner in the process. “I’m sorry you couldn’t see a longer match today, it’s his fault, not my fault!”, the Serbian highlighted.
“It will be very difficult for me in the future to overcome the hurdle of Sinner and Alcaraz in best-of-fives at Grand Slams. I think I have a better chance in best-of-three, but best-of-five, it’s tough. I’m not giving up on Grand Slams in that regard. I’m going to continue fighting and trying to get to the finals and fight for another trophy at least.”
