Novak Djokovic makes new retirement claim after suffering setback ahead of Australian Open | Tennis | Sport
Novak Djokovic admitted that he suffered a physical setback that forced him to miss a tournament (Image: Getty)
Novak Djokovic reiterated his desire to keep on playing despite suffering a fresh setback ahead of the Australian Open. The Serbian superstar is making his 21st appearance at Melbourne Park, but “doesn’t want to talk” about the end of his career just yet. Djokovic is still in pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam title, but he raised concerns when he withdrew from this week’s Adelaide International, admitting he was “not quite physically ready to compete”.
The world No.4 has now admitted he faced a physical setback, forcing him out of the draw. Djokovic will turn 39 this year, and knows that he needs more time to rebuild his body and recover, but he’s raring to go in Melbourne – his first tournament since winning the Hellenic Championship in early November.
“I ended up the season in the first week of November, so it’s been a while since I played any competition, any official tournament,” Djokovic said ahead of the Australian Open.
“You know, I took some time off, and obviously took more time to rebuild my body, because I understand that in the last couple of years, that’s what changed the most for me is it takes more time to rebuild, and it also takes more time to reset or recover.
“So, unfortunately, I had a little setback that prevented me to compete at Adelaide tournament. That’s why I didn’t go there physically, but it’s been going on very well so far here. Obviously every day there is something here and there for me and I guess for each one of us, but generally I feel good and look forward to competing.”
While Father Time may slowly be catching up, Djokovic isn’t ready to hang up his racket anytime soon. The 24-time Major winner has often reiterated his desire to keep playing – and admitted that he still didn’t want to think about retirement.
Novak Djokovic is still hunting an elusive 25th Grand Slam title (Image: Getty)
Djokovic added: “I have been asked a lot about obviously when is the, you know, end date going to come for me, but, you know, I don’t want to talk or think about it yet, because I’m here, I’m competing.
“When that arrives and kind of becomes ripe in my head, I’ll share it with you, and then we can all discuss on the farewell tour. But right now I’m still No. 4 in the world, still competing at the highest level, and I feel like there is no need to draw the attention to that discussion.”
One thing that has always motivated Djokovic to keep playing is the chance to rewrite history. He already has the most Major titles in the Open Era – he’s tied with Margaret Court in the all-time count – and has spent a record 428 weeks at No. 1 in the world. But winning an elusive 25th Grand Slam title is no longer a huge, do-or-die task in Djokovic’s eyes.
“Yeah, there has been a lot of talk about the 25th, but, you know, I try to focus myself on what I have achieved, not what I’m possibly achieving. I mean, I hope it comes to that, but 24 is also not a bad number. I have to appreciate that and remind myself of the amazing career I had,” he explained.
“And also, you know, release some of that unnecessary pressure. I mean, obviously there is always pressure and expectations, but, you know, I don’t think it’s, you know, needed for me to really go far in terms of, you know, make-it-or-break-it type of thing, you know, it’s now-or-never type of mentality. I don’t feel it’s necessary. Neither does that allow me to excel and perform my best.
“I’m just, as I said, grateful to have another shot, particularly here, a place where I won 10 Grand Slam titles and been consistently playing well and reaching the final stages. Last couple of years also semi-finals, ’24 semi-finals, ’25. Had a great win against Carlos [Alcaraz] in quarters last year.
“Look, I know that when I’m healthy, when I’m able to put all the pieces of the puzzle together on a given day, I feel like I can beat anybody. If I don’t have that self-belief and confidence in myself, I wouldn’t be here definitely sitting here and talking to you guys or competing.
“I still have the drive, and of course I understand that, you know, [Jannik] Sinner and Alcaraz are playing on a different level right now from everybody else. That’s a fact, but that doesn’t mean that nobody else has a chance. So I like my chances always, in any tournament, particularly here.”
