NOVAK DJOKOVIC MAKES FEELINGS CLEAR ON TENNIS RETIREMENT, ANDY MURRAY AND RAFAEL NADAL AS OLYMPICS LOOM
Novak Djokovic has insisted he won't be retiring just yet as the Serb prepares to play in the Paris Olympics.
The 37-year-old has endured a difficult year so far, with the former world No 1 yet to win a Grand Slam in 2024.
He was beaten by Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open back in January, with the 22-year-old proceeding to lift the trophy.
Djokovic was then forced to pull out of the French Open due to injury and, though he fared well at Wimbledon, he was crushed by Carlos Alcaraz in the final of that prestigious competition earlier this month.
Given his age, some feel the 24-time Grand Slam winner is approaching the end of his glittering career.
Yet Djokovic, speaking ahead of the Olympics, has now made it clear he has no plans to walk away from the sport just yet.
"I don’t have the retirement clause in my mind to be honest even though I know a lot of people would love me to retire so that this era is done," he said.
"But I think as long as one of us is left in the competition, I think the era is still going."
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Djokovic admits the next generation are starting to make their mark.
Alcaraz has four majors to his name already, while Sinner showed he'd be a force for the future with his victory Down Under at the start of the year.
Djokovic, when asked about the pair, added: "Of course, there’s this change of generation and you have Alcaraz and Sinner currently that are two best players in the world, deservedly.
"They are playing on a very high level, particularly this year. They’re very young, they’re going to carry this sport in the future.
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"But I’ve been present for the shift or change of many generations in the last 15 years and I like to see that.
"Of course, the end is near than the beginning for me personally as well but I still enjoy competition and will keep going until I don’t enjoy it anymore."
While Djokovic isn't going anywhere just yet, the same can't be said for Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal.
Murray has confirmed he'll be quitting tennis after the Olympics, while Nadal is widely expected to retire later in the year.
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Djokovic has lost two Grand Slam finals to Murray over the years - but has wished his rival well for the future as he prepares to embark on a new challenge.
"I heard the news about Andy and I hope that he will have the best possible farewell in his last competitive match here in Olympics for him and his country," he stated.
"He is a legend of our sport, he’s been an incredibly important player for tennis globally."
And Djokovic hopes Nadal can keep playing, with the pair on course to meet in the second round of the games in France.
"Nadal of course the same, even more, all the results and achievements he has had, particularly in this city in Roland Garros," he said.
"Nadal still didn’t say when his last tournament will be so hopefully, for the sake of the sport, he can keep going."
Djokovic is yet to win Olympic gold so far, despite everything else he's achieved.
And whether he's able to finally claim that elusive honour remains to be seen.
2024-07-26T09:27:23Z dg43tfdfdgfd