Novak Djokovic mentioned he plans to play so long as potential 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’s all-time mark for many main singles crowns.
RELATED | List of information Djokovic set by beating Medvedev to win US Open 2023 title
Half of Djokovic’s Grand Slam triumphs have come since he turned 30. The Serbian has additionally gained seven of the previous 10 majors he has entered.
“I’m going to keep going. You know, I feel good in my own body. I still feel I got the support of my environment, of my team, of my family,” mentioned Djokovic.
“Grand Slams… have been always the highest goal and the priority of mine in the whole season.
“I don’t play as much in terms of other tournaments, so I try to, you know, prioritise my preparation so that I can peak in Slams.”
Djokovic will return to world primary Monday for a record-extending 390th week, changing Alcaraz on the high. Alcaraz is the one man to have crushed Djokovic this yr at a Grand Slam.
His five-set win within the Wimbledon last 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.
“Knowing that I play at such a high level still and I win the biggest tournaments in this sport, yeah, I don’t want to get rid of this sport,” mentioned Djokovic.
“I don’t want to leave this sport if I’m still at the top, if I’m still playing the way I’m playing.”
– No numbers in thoughts –
Djokovic admitted there are occasions he questions his future in a sport he has dominated for effectively over a decade.
“Occasionally asking myself, why do I need this still at this stage after all I have done, you know? How long do I want to keep going? I do have these questions in my head, of course,” he mentioned.
But 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 don’t put any number right now in my mind on how many Slams I want to win until the end of my career. I don’t really have any number,” mentioned Djokovic.
“I’ll continue to prioritise them as my most important tournaments and where I want to play the best tennis.
“So that will not change. That will stay the same in the next season or I don’t know how many more seasons I have in my legs. So let’s see.”
His coach Goran Ivanisevic joked that Djokovic’s unquenchable thirst for achievement might see him stick with it till the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
He additionally mentioned there was little likelihood Djokovic would grasp up his racquet if he gained subsequent yr’s Australian Open to assert the outright document with a twenty fifth Grand Slam crown.
“He just enjoying, he likes the challenges. Like you ask me 25, yeah, if he wins 25, he’s going to think, If I win 25, why not 26? It’s always one more, something more.”
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com