Novak Djokovic goals to proceed his skilled profession into his 40s and says he attracts inspiration from LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo and Tom Brady.
“Longevity is one in all my greatest motivations. I actually wish to see how far I can go,” Djokovic stated Thursday on the Pleasure Discussion board in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, forward of his look on the Six Kings Slam. “In case you have a look at world sports activities typically, LeBron James remains to be going robust at 40 years outdated. Cristiano Ronaldo and Tom Brady performed till they had been about 40 years outdated. It is unbelievable.”
“They encourage me too, so I wish to preserve going. That’s one in all my motivations.”
The 38-year-old Djokovic has not received a Grand Slam title in two years, having been surpassed by Carlos Alcaraz and Yannick Ciner, however says he’s not but contemplating hanging up his racket as he seeks his twenty fifth main to interrupt the report for many Grand Slam singles titles by a person or a lady.
Djokovic’s feedback on Thursday took a unique tone from what he stated after this 12 months’s Grand Slam loss. After shedding to Sinner within the French Open semi-finals, he hinted that the match at Roland Garros might be “the final match I ever performed”. After shedding to Alcaraz in straight units within the US Open semifinals, Djokovic lamented that he may not have the ability to beat Alcaraz and Sinner in a significant’s best-of-five set format.
However he additionally stated he supposed to play in all 4 Grand Slams in 2026 and that taking part in past age 40 would prolong his profession to no less than 2027.
Brady performed quarterback within the NFL till he was 45 years outdated, whereas James and Ronaldo are each nonetheless taking part in of their 40s.
Djokovic, who co-founded the Skilled Tennis Gamers Affiliation in 2020, additionally desires to make use of his affect to enhance the game.
The PTPA filed a lawsuit in opposition to tennis’ governing physique earlier this 12 months in an try to drive reform, whilst main gamers push the Grand Slams for a much bigger share of the income.
“I wish to reside to see it too. I am actually enthusiastic about what’s going to occur to our sport if I proceed to play reside and professionally,” Djokovic stated. “I can not discuss this stuff brazenly in the mean time, however I really feel that tennis is a sport that would change considerably over the subsequent few years, and I wish to be part of that change.”
Info from ESPN’s Darcy Maine and Penn State was used on this report.
