At 37 years old, Novak Djokovic is showing no signs of slowing down, and for those hoping to see him hang up his racket, there’s bad news: the Serbian tennis legend believes he still has more to give to the sport and, more importantly, more Grand Slam titles to win. In an interview with *La Nacion*, Djokovic made it clear that despite a somewhat challenging year by his own lofty standards, he remains as motivated as ever to add to his already historic 24 Grand Slam titles.
Last year, Djokovic cemented his place in tennis history, winning three Majors and surpassing Rafael Nadal to become the all-time leader in Grand Slam titles with 24. However, 2024 did not see the same dominance from Djokovic in Grand Slam tournaments, marking the first time since 2017 that he has completed a year without claiming a Major. Despite this, he still leads the all-time race after Nadal confirmed his retirement plans with 22 Majors.
For Djokovic, the hunger to compete and win remains undiminished. “Deep down, I still feel like I have a few more Grand Slams to win. That’s what drives me to compete, to feel like I can still do it, and to play the Davis Cup for Serbia. I love playing for Serbia,” Djokovic told *La Nacion*. He emphasized that tennis remains not only a platform for athletic excellence but also for promoting causes close to his heart. “Tennis is still my biggest platform for sharing the messages that I care about, whether it’s related to tennis, society, or business. I still feel that I enjoy the process, and it brings me all these benefits, so why not?”
### A Difficult Season, but Far From Over
This year, Djokovic faced unexpected challenges. His performance in the Grand Slams was below his usual dominant standard, starting with a crushing defeat to Jannik Sinner in the semifinals of the Australian Open, a tournament he has historically owned. At the French Open, Djokovic made it to the quarterfinals but was forced to retire due to an injury, a disappointing end to what has traditionally been a strong tournament for him. The Wimbledon final, where he was overpowered by young Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz, was another difficult moment. Alcaraz, who had dethroned Djokovic in a five-set epic at Wimbledon, seems poised to be one of the players to carry the mantle of men’s tennis forward.
Perhaps the most surprising result of Djokovic’s year came at the US Open, where he suffered an early third-round exit at the hands of Australian player Alexei Popyrin, a result that shocked the tennis world and left fans wondering whether the end was near for the 37-year-old champion.
Despite these setbacks, Djokovic still managed to achieve a career milestone that had eluded him for years: winning an Olympic gold medal. It was a monumental achievement for Djokovic, who had long sought to add Olympic gold to his glittering résumé. The victory completed his collection of major tennis accolades, prompting some to suggest that now would be the perfect time for him to retire.
### Responding to Calls for Retirement
With his Olympic gold in hand and his status as one of the greatest, if not the greatest, tennis players of all time secure, many have argued that Djokovic should walk away from the sport while still regarded as a top player. In fact, some have speculated that the emergence of young stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner—both of whom have handed Djokovic key defeats this year—might be a sign that the Serbian should bow out on a high note.
However, Djokovic doesn’t see it that way. “Some people think I should leave tennis on a high: ‘You won gold, you won everything, say goodbye.’ Some people think I should keep going as long as I still think I can be the favorite for a Grand Slam. I think more like them,” he said, acknowledging the pressure but making it clear he’s not done yet. “Maybe I will change my mind. I don’t know. For now, I feel like I want to keep going.”
Djokovic’s mindset reflects the drive and determination that have defined his career. Even at an age when most tennis players have retired or are winding down their careers, Djokovic is still competing at the highest level and believes he can add to his legacy. The call to retire “on a high” might be tempting, especially after reaching the pinnacle with 24 Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold medal, but Djokovic seems more focused on what lies ahead than on resting on his laurels.
### Looking to the Future
As Djokovic prepares for what could be his final years on the ATP Tour, the competition is fiercer than ever. Young talents like Alcaraz and Sinner represent the next generation of champions, but Djokovic remains a formidable opponent. His consistency, physical fitness, and mental toughness have allowed him to remain at the top of the game long after many of his peers have retired. Even in a year without a Major, Djokovic’s resilience and ability to recover from setbacks have shown that he is far from finished.
Looking ahead, Djokovic will likely continue to aim for Grand Slam success, particularly at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, tournaments where he has historically dominated. His comments suggest that he has no plans to retire until he feels he can no longer compete for the sport’s biggest prizes. As he said, “I feel like I want to keep going,” and for the tennis world, that means we may still have more opportunities to witness Djokovic add to his historic tally of titles.
In the end, Novak Djokovic’s career has been defined by surpassing expectations, and it appears that he’s not ready to stop now. The tennis world will be watching closely as he enters the twilight of his career, wondering just how many more Grand Slam titles he can add to his extraordinary collection.