Novak Djokovic rejects retirement rumors and confirms ambition at the US Open: “I can always be better”
Novak Djokovic saw his quest for an eighth Wimbledon title come to an abrupt end last Friday, losing to the young Italian Jannik Sinner, the tournament's future champion. The Serbian tennis player, who was competing in his eighth consecutive Wimbledon semi-final, was clearly dominated by his opponent, raising questions about his physical condition and future in tennis.
Despite the speculations, Djokovic has already moved past the defeat and is focusing on the US Open, which takes place in Flushing Meadows, New York. In an interview with Gayle King, the Serbian stated: “I’m thinking about playing tennis at a high level, and if I don’t think about it, people remind me. If people don’t remind me of my age, my body does, and I try to take advantage of every bit of energy to keep competing at an elite level against younger players.” The player further explained the physical challenges he faces: “The body responds differently, and that’s biology. The wear and tear of over 20 years at the highest level takes its toll, and it takes me longer to recover.” Djokovic mentioned the exhausting five-hour and fifteen-minute match in the quarter-finals against Felix Auger-Aliassime, which may have affected his freshness in the semi-final, where he was unable to match Sinner's performance.
With 24 Grand Slam titles, Djokovic is preparing for the US Open, a tournament he has won four times and where he claimed his most recent Major. “The US Open is one of the four Grand Slams, and I think it is the most fun and exciting, in addition to having the largest stadium in our sport. I can’t wait.” The player highlighted the energy of the fans as one of the main motivations for continuing to compete: “One of the main reasons I am still competing is the energy of the crowd and the respect and appreciation I have received, especially in recent years around the world, something for which I am immensely grateful.”
Djokovic also has the opportunity to equal the record of five US Open titles, currently shared by Roger Federer, Pete Sampras, and Jimmy Connors. Unlike Wimbledon, where Federer holds the record outright, the US Open title is divided among several tennis legends. The Serbian has yet to reveal whether he will participate in the Canadian Open or the Cincinnati Masters, events he has been avoiding in recent seasons.
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Meanwhile, Djokovic celebrated the premiere of his documentary “The Wolf in Winter” with an exclusive screening at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The event brought together renowned figures from the worlds of sports, fashion, and entertainment, including Mike Tyson, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Gianni Infantino, John McEnroe, Juan Martín del Potro, Bogdan Bogdanović, and Anna Wintour. The film, directed by Jason Hehir, known for the documentary “The Last Dance” about Michael Jordan, promises to provide a deep insight into the career and journey of the Serbian, whose adaptability and convictions are cited as his true strength.
With a career filled with achievements, including an Olympic gold medal and a record 428 weeks as world number one, Djokovic remains a dominant figure in world tennis, now focused on extending his influence and success at the US Open.
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