Novak Djokovic says what he’s ’leaning towards’ out of retiring or continuing to play tennis

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Novak Djokovic issued a defiant statement to those who think he should retire from tennis.

At the age of 37, the Serbina is still one of the game’s top players and is a contender for each tournament he chooses to enter.

In what has been considered a poor 2024 season for Novak Djokovic by his standards, he still reached a Grand Slam and Masters 1000 final, and claimed the Olympic gold medal.

The Serbian is content with his campaign, during which he sustained a knee injury, and is ready to have a solid campaign in 2025.

What did Novak Djokovic say about his tennis future?

Since winning the Olympic gold medal, Djokovic has played just three tournaments, the US Open, the Shanghai Masters and the Davis Cup.

He suffered a third round exit in New York, failed to help Serbia qualify for the Davis Cup finals and lost to Jannik Sinner for the fourth time in five matches in Shanghai.

Questions are now being asked of Djokovic’s motivation, especially now he has won every major title in the sport.

But the 24-time Grand Slam champion has a desire to win more Grand Slam titles and represent his country of Serbia.

“Deep down, I still feel like I have a few more Grand Slams to win. That’s what drives me to keep going, to feel like I can still do it, and to play the Davis Cup for Serbia,” Djokovic told La Nacion.

What message did Novak Djokovic have for his detractors?

When athletes reach a certain age, what tends to follow is questions regarding their future in sport and when they plan to retire.

Along with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Djokovic has been producing a high level of tennis deep into his 30s, and he last won a Grand Slam at the age of 36.

But after he did not reach the lofty standards he has set for himself in 2024, in addition to the retirements of Andy Murray and Nadal, speculation around Djokovic’s future has intensified.

But the former World number one has no plans on hanging up his racket just yet, and had a bold message for those who may want to see that happen.

“Tennis is still my biggest voice for sharing the messages that interest me the most. I still enjoy the process and everything it gives me. Maybe some people think I should retire with the Olympic gold, on a high,” he added.

“Others, on the contrary, think I should keep going as long as I’m a candidate for the Grand Slams. I’m leaning towards the latter.

“Maybe I’ll change my mind soon, but now I feel like I want to keep going. I feel sorry for those who want me to retire, but I still have some time left.”