Novak Djokovic stated he plans to play so long as attainable whereas he’s nonetheless able to competing for the most important prizes after successful a record-equalling twenty fourth Grand Slam title on the US Open on Sunday. The 36-year-old Djokovic defeated Daniil Medvedev in straight units to tug stage with Margaret Court docket’s all-time mark for many main singles crowns. Half of Djokovic’s Grand Slam triumphs have come since he turned 30. The Serbian has additionally received seven of the previous 10 majors he has entered.
“I will preserve going. You recognize, I really feel good in my very own physique. I nonetheless really feel I bought the assist of my setting, of my workforce, of my household,” stated Djokovic.
“Grand Slams… have been all the time the very best purpose and the precedence of mine in the entire season.
“I do not play as a lot by way of different tournaments, so I attempt to, you realize, prioritise my preparation in order that I can peak in Slams.”
Djokovic will return to world primary Monday for a record-extending 390th week, changing Alcaraz on the prime. Alcaraz is the one man to have overwhelmed Djokovic this yr at a Grand Slam.
His five-set win within the Wimbledon closing ruined the Serbian’s bid for a calendar Grand Slam, however any indication that signalled the passing of the torch was proven to be untimely in New York.
“Realizing that I play at such a excessive stage nonetheless and I win the most important tournaments on this sport, yeah, I do not need to eliminate this sport,” stated Djokovic.
“I do not need to depart this sport if I am nonetheless on the prime, if I am nonetheless taking part in the way in which I am taking part in.”
– No numbers in thoughts –
Djokovic admitted there are occasions he questions his future in a sport he has dominated for nicely over a decade.
“Sometimes asking myself, why do I want this nonetheless at this stage in any case I’ve accomplished, you realize? How lengthy do I need to preserve going? I do have these questions in my head, in fact,” he stated.
However his behavior of setting himself more and more lofty objectives as his profession has progressed means there are few ideas of calling it a day any time quickly until his physique dictates in any other case.
“I do not put any quantity proper now in my thoughts on what number of Slams I need to win till the top of my profession. I do not actually have any quantity,” stated Djokovic.
“I am going to proceed to prioritise them as my most vital tournaments and the place I need to play the very best tennis.
“So that won’t change. That can keep the identical within the subsequent season or I do not know what number of extra seasons I’ve in my legs. So let’s have a look at.”
His coach Goran Ivanisevic joked that Djokovic’s unquenchable thirst for fulfillment might see him keep on till the 2028 Olympic Video games in Los Angeles.
He additionally stated there was little probability Djokovic would grasp up his racquet if he received subsequent yr’s Australian Open to say the outright file with a twenty fifth Grand Slam crown.
“He simply having fun with, he likes the challenges. Such as you ask me 25, yeah, if he wins 25, he will suppose, If I win 25, why not 26? It is all the time yet one more, one thing extra.”
(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
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