Novak Djokovic made it clear prior to the 2024 Paris Olympics that he is not nearing the end of his career when discussing his fellow players. As one of the elder statesmen on the ATP Tour, the Serbian inevitably faced questions about retirement, but these inquiries seem misplaced in regards to Djokovic. Despite being 37 years old, he shows no signs of being close to retirement, especially considering he will enter the 2024 Paris Olympics as the top seed. This topic arose during Djokovic’s press conference when he was asked about Andy Murray. Murray will retire after the Olympic Games in Paris, and as longtime colleagues on the ATP Tour, Djokovic naturally has strong feelings about the fellow legend leaving the sport. He referred to Murray as a true legend of the game and wished him the best farewell at a competition where he left an incredible legacy with two singles gold medals.
“I hope that he will have a remarkable farewell at his last competitive match for him at the Olympics. He is an iconic figure in our sport. He has been an incredibly significant player for tennis worldwide.”
To understand why Murray is retiring and why Djokovic is dismissing the idea for himself, comparing their respective careers is helpful. Murray has not been performing well lately, and his body is not holding up as it used to, which is in stark contrast to Djokovic, whose body still appears to be in excellent condition. Djokovic is still playing at a high level, as evidenced by his recent appearance in the 2024 Wimbledon Championships final. Although he did not emerge as the winner, he displayed great effort and outperformed all players not named Carlos Alcaraz. There is a clear disparity in their career trajectories when compared to someone like Murray and Rafael Nadal, both of whom have encountered significant struggles. Djokovic, on the other hand, is still capable of competing at a high level and has no intentions of retiring in the near future.
“I do not have retirement on my mind, to be honest, even though I am aware that many people would like me to retire. Of course, the end is closer than the beginning. I am aware of that, but I still derive enjoyment from competition, and I will continue until I no longer find it enjoyable.”
He acknowledges that he is closer to the end of his career than the beginning, and that is indeed true. However, there is no need for him to retire this year or the next as long as his body remains relatively healthy and he continues to perform at a high level. Motivation does play a role, but he still appears to be adequately motivated. While that can change at any moment, winning a gold medal could potentially diminish his overall motivation because, aside from that achievement, he has already conquered it all.
Photo – Novak Djokovic Instagram
