Novak Djokovic has sent a clear message to his competitors, indicating that he still has plenty of fight left in him, despite not winning a Grand Slam title in 2024. In a candid and wide-ranging interview with *La Nacion*, the 24-time Grand Slam champion opened up about the challenges he faced this year, his motivation to continue playing, and his ambitions for the future.
At 37 years old, Djokovic has enjoyed an illustrious career, becoming one of the most decorated tennis players in history. However, the past year marked the first time since 2017 that he failed to capture a major title, raising speculation that he might be nearing retirement. Yet, Djokovic made it clear that he does not feel his career is winding down. In fact, he emphasized that he still has more to achieve and is driven by the goal of winning more titles.
“Deep down, I still feel like I have a few more Grand Slams to win,” Djokovic revealed in the interview. “That’s what drives me to keep going, to feel like I can still do it. 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.”
Djokovic’s remarkable career has been defined by an insatiable hunger for success, and that desire remains alive as he continues to compete against the rising stars of the sport, such as Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic acknowledged the challenge posed by these younger players but insisted that he is still capable of beating them and adding to his legacy.
While he has already tied Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam titles, Djokovic is clearly eager to surpass that milestone by securing his 25th major championship. Additionally, with 99 career titles under his belt, Djokovic is just one title away from reaching the century mark, a feat only a handful of players have achieved.
“Maybe some people think I should retire with the Olympic gold, on a high,” Djokovic said, referring to his recent victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics. “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.”
One of the most fascinating parts of Djokovic’s interview was his reflection on his storied rivalry with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, two players who, along with Djokovic, have defined an era of men’s tennis. Djokovic discussed the early years of his career when he struggled to break through against Federer and Nadal, often falling short in the biggest moments.
“It took me three years to win my second Grand Slam, and I was No. 3 in the world for those three years,” Djokovic recalled. “I was also No. 2 in 2009, playing at a very high level, but I couldn’t get to win Grand Slams because of those two. They dominated everything. I didn’t have the formula to beat them. I was able to win one or two matches against them, but not the important ones.”
Those years were crucial for Djokovic’s development as a player. He explained that his inability to consistently overcome Federer and Nadal motivated him to improve his game and find new ways to win. “Those three years were crucial for my development. They made me hungrier to win, especially against them,” he said. “I knew that if I could find a way to be like those guys in the big matches—and a lot of that came from the mind—I could figure out the Grand Slams and start winning more. And that’s what happened.”
Indeed, 2011 marked a turning point in Djokovic’s career. That year, he won three of the four Grand Slam tournaments and began to regularly outperform Federer and Nadal on the biggest stages. “Before 2011, I was unable to win Grand Slams because of their presence; they dominated the entire circuit. Those years, between 2008 and 2011, were crucial for my growth,” Djokovic reflected. “They fueled in me a greater hunger for victory, especially when facing them.”
In addition to reflecting on his on-court battles, Djokovic also touched on the personal struggles he faced growing up in war-torn Serbia. His childhood was marked by the hardships of life in a country ravaged by conflict, but those experiences helped shape his resilience and determination as an athlete. Djokovic has often spoken about how his upbringing fueled his drive to succeed, and in this interview, he reiterated the role that his background played in building his champion mindset.
“Tennis became a way to express myself and escape the harsh realities of life in Serbia,” Djokovic said. “The challenges I faced growing up only made me stronger and more determined to succeed.”
As he looks to the future, Djokovic appears far from ready to hang up his racket. His ambition to win more Grand Slam titles and reach new career milestones is evident, and he remains focused on continuing to compete at the highest level.
With rivals like Sinner and Alcaraz pushing the boundaries of the game, Djokovic knows the competition is tougher than ever. But if there’s one thing his career has proven, it’s that he thrives on challenges, and as he heads into 2025, the tennis world can expect to see Djokovic fighting for more titles and continuing to add to his incredible legacy.
“Maybe the end is not that far away, but I’m still here, still competing, and still hungry,” Djokovic concluded. “I believe I have more left to give to this sport.”