Novak Djokovic has achieved the “biggest sporting success” of his career and some might think now would be a good time to pack it in, but the tennis great has a warning for those who think he is “unrealistic” with his goals.
Winning gold has been Djokovic’s top priority for the past decade, but at the 2016 Rio Games he lost in the first round and at the 2020 Tokyo Games he finished fourth.
Following his lacklustre start to the 2024 season that saw him fail to win a title during the first seven months of the season, many questioned whether or not it was time to throw in the towel and retire while he was still one of the leading players in men’s tennis.
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He refused to give up on his dream and at Roland Garros, the 37-year-old Djokovic became the oldest Olympic gold medallist when he defeated Carlos Alcaraz – who is 16 years younger than him – in the showpiece match at the 2024 Paris Games.
Now that he has completed the career Golden Slam [winning the four Grand Slams and singles gold at the Olympics), has his retirement date edged closer?
“I want to play in Los Angeles,” the Serbian said of the 2028 Olympics during his post-match press conference.
After a member of his team started laughing at his ambitious goal, he added: “He’s making fun of my calendar goals, playing in Los Angeles.
“I don’t know if he’s laughing because he thinks it’s unrealistic or he’s thinking ‘I’ve got another four years with this guy’.”
He has proven many naysayers wrong over the years so don’t be surprised if he plays at LA 2028.
Having won 24 Grand Slams, seven season-ending ATP Finals and set a record for most weeks at No 1, there are a lot of achievements to choose from in terms of his greatest, but his latest milestone sits at the top.
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“I thought in 2012, carrying the flag of my country in the opening ceremony was the best feeling an athlete could have – until today,” he said.
“This supersedes everything that I imagined and hoped I could experience and feel. The fact I won the bronze in my first Olympic Games and ever since then failed to win a medal despite playing in three semi-finals … I couldn’t overcome that obstacle.
“Now, at age 37 [I was able to beat] a 21-year-old that is probably the best player in the world right now. When I take everything into consideration, this is probably the biggest sporting success I’ve had in my career.”
He added: “Those other Olympic Games where I lost in the semi-finals and wasn’t able to bring a medal for many years to my country, that was catching up to me and building the pressure even more and more.
“So that’s why where I am at this moment in my career and life, it stands out as the highest of the highest.”