Novak Djokovic told Diego Schwartzman why he hasn’t retired from tennis yet

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Novak Djokovic is preparing for another season of Grand Slam tennis at 38.

The Serbian superstar reached the semifinals of all four majors in 2025.

He hasn’t, however, been able to add to his tally of 24 Grand Slams in the last two years.

World number four Djokovic will hope to win his 25th major in 2026, but with age working against him, time might be running out.

How far do you think Novak Djokovic will go at the Australian Open?

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It’s unclear when he will retire from tennis, but it doesn’t sound like Djokovic plans on quitting the ATP Tour anytime soon.

Appearing as a guest on ‘Pod Laver Arena‘, former top-10 player Diego Schwartzman revealed that Djokovic recently told him why he hasn’t retired yet.

Novak Djokovic told Diego Schwartzman why he’s still here

Schwartzman recalled what Djokovic told him in the locker room ahead of the 2026 Australian Open.

“Novak [Djokovic] is still here!” said Schwartzman.

“I saw him in the locker room, he said to me, ‘I’m here, because I want the young guys to keep running on the court!”

Djokovic is the oldest seeded player at the 2026 Australian Open.

The age of every seeded player at the 2026 Australian Open

• [1] Carlos Alcaraz – 21
• [2] Jannik Sinner – 24
• [3] Alexander Zverev – 28
• [4] Novak Djokovic – 38
• [5] Lorenzo Musetti – 23
• [6] Alex de Minaur – 26
• [7] Felix Auger-Aliassime – 25
• [8] Ben Shelton – 23
• [9] Taylor Fritz – 28
• [10] Alexander Bublik – 28
• [11] Daniil Medvedev – 29
• [12] Casper Ruud – 27
• [13] Andrey Rublev – 28
• [14] Alejandro Davidovich Fokina – 26
• [15] Karen Khachanov – 29
• [16] Jakub Mensik – 20
• [17] Jiri Lehecka – 24
• [18] Francisco Cerundolo – 27
• [19] Tommy Paul – 28
• [20] Flavio Cobolli – 23
• [21] Denis Shapovalov – 26
• [22] Luciano Darderi – 23
• [23] Tallon Griekspoor – 29
• [24] Arthur Rinderknech – 30
• [25] Learner Tien – 20
• [26] Cameron Norrie – 30
• [27] Brandon Nakashima – 24
• [28] Joao Fonseca – 19
• [29] Frances Tiafoe – 27
• [30] Valentin Vacherot – 27
• [31] Stefanos Tsitsipas – 27
• [32] Corentin Moutet – 26

Top five oldest seeds at the 2026 Australian Open

Top five youngest seeds at the 2026 Australian Open

Schwartzman doesn’t think Djokovic’s experience will guide him to the Australian Open title and is instead backing the Serb’s younger rivals to emerge victorious.

“It’s difficult to say, but I think [Jannik] Sinner and [Carlos] Alcaraz right now are a few steps ahead of the rest,” he said.

“They showed unreal tennis last year.

“I went to Turin, and I saw their level, it’s another step [ahead].

“But I don’t know, the Australian Open, for many, is the first tournament, so it’s so difficult to play the first tournament.

“But these guys always do well, so let’s see.”

Sinner and Alcaraz have shared the last eight Grand Slam titles between themselves, and are expected to continue their dominant streak this year.

That’s not to say they won’t be challenged, though, as several players look to cause an upset down under.

Diego Schwartzman names his Australian Open dark horse

Schwartzman was later asked to pick a dark horse for the Australian Open.

“Difficult to say, but a new name, I hope [Joao] Fonseca, I like him,” he said.

Who is your dark horse for the 2026 Australian Open?

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“Also for South America, being Argentinian, he’s Brazilian, but being South American, for us it’s very important to have one [player].

“I think he’s going to have a great year, so maybe there is a chance to start well.

“But he pulled out of the first tournament, so let’s see how he is physically.”

Fonseca withdrew from the Brisbane International and the Adelaide International due to a lower-back problem.

He is, however, expected to return in time for the Australian Open.

Fonseca will play Eliot Spizzirri in the first round on Monday, January 19, or Tuesday, January 20.