Half of Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam victories have occurred after he reached the age of 30. The Serbian tennis sensation has also secured victories in seven of the last ten major tournaments he has entered.
Following his triumphant 24th Grand Slam title win at the US Open, Djokovic expressed his intention to continue playing for as long as he remains competitive in the quest for major titles. The 36-year-old Djokovic clinched victory over Daniil Medvedev in straight sets, drawing level with Margaret Court’s historic record for the most major singles championships.
Djokovic’s Grand Slam accomplishments have remarkably multiplied since he crossed the age threshold of 30, underscoring his enduring excellence on the court. He has claimed victory in seven of the last ten major tournaments he has participated in.
“I’m committed to carrying on. I feel physically fit, and I have the unwavering support of my team, family, and my environment,” Djokovic affirmed.
He emphasized that Grand Slam events have consistently been his foremost objective and top priority throughout the tennis season. His competitive schedule tends to revolve around these prestigious tournaments to ensure peak performance.
Djokovic is poised to reclaim the world number one ranking on Monday, extending his record for a remarkable 390 weeks. This ascent to the top displaces Alcaraz from the position, with the latter being the only player to defeat Djokovic at a Grand Slam event this year during their Wimbledon final clash.
Despite the momentary setback at Wimbledon, where his pursuit of a calendar Grand Slam was thwarted, Djokovic’s recent victory in New York firmly dispels any notions of a generational shift in tennis dominance.
“Recognizing that I’m still performing at such a high level and winning the sport’s most prestigious tournaments, I have no desire to distance myself from this sport,” Djokovic asserted.
He admitted to occasionally questioning his future in a sport he has dominated for over a decade, pondering why he continues at this stage of his illustrious career. However, Djokovic’s tendency to set progressively ambitious goals as his career unfolds ensures that retirement is not on the horizon unless his physical condition dictates otherwise.
“At this point, I’m not setting any specific numerical targets for the number of Grand Slam titles I want to secure by the end of my career. I haven’t established a specific figure,” Djokovic explained.
He remains committed to prioritizing Grand Slam events as the pinnacle of his tennis journey, with an unwavering dedication to delivering his best performance. This unyielding focus on major tournaments is a constant that will endure in the coming seasons, regardless of how many more seasons he may have left in his tennis career.
Djokovic’s coach, Goran Ivanisevic, playfully suggested that Djokovic’s insatiable hunger for success could potentially lead him to compete in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Additionally, Ivanisevic mentioned that even if Djokovic secures his 25th Grand Slam title at next year’s Australian Open, he is unlikely to consider retirement, as the pursuit of “one more” and “something more” remains ingrained in his competitive spirit.
