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Djokovic regularly fields retirement questions, but said at the World Sports Summit in Dubai barely a week ago that he intended to play at the next Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028, after beating Alcaraz to win Olympic gold in Paris two years ago.
“I will play at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. These Games are the guiding star for me,” Djokovic said.
“There are no limits. I love to compete and as long as I feel good, as long as my body can handle it, as long as I play at a high level, why not?
“Longevity is not just about sports, but about how you maintain your body, mind, energy and time. Billie Jean King once said: ‘Pressure is a privilege.’ I have always wanted to meet the world’s expectations. That’s why I am grateful to still be here.”
Novak Djokovic’s post to his Instagram story.Credit: Instagram
Speaking to this masthead, Nick Kyrgios said people should stop wondering when the end will come for Djokovic and just appreciate him while he is still on tour.
“We always do this with athletes, especially the ones who are in a whole different conversation [like Djokovic]. Why is he still playing? I don’t know – he’s an anomaly. He’s different. He loves the sport,” Kyrgios said.
“There’s obviously something there that he wants to achieve, whether it’s another grand slam or something else, but I think we should just cherish the fact that someone that old in our sport is still at the top of it and still gives everything to it.
“The longer we have guys like this around, the better it is for our sport.
“I feel like there’s been a void in the sport ever since [Roger] Federer and [Rafael] Nadal left … and obviously, when Novak goes, that era is completely gone. I want him to stay for as long as possible.”
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