Despite speculation about his future, Novak Djokovic hasn’t given any clear indication that he plans to step away from tennis soon.
His lone title of 2025 came at the Geneva Open, a historic milestone for the Serbian. Even though he reached all four Grand Slam semifinals this year, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have had the upper hand in those matches.
The losses have sparked questions about whether Djokovic is nearing retirement. However, he recently pointed to a different source of motivation that’s keeping him engaged with the sport.
Novak Djokovic has given a fresh answer as to why he is still playing
Djokovic last played at the Six Kings Slam, where he retired during his match against Taylor Fritz.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion is now set to appear at the first-ever Hellenic Championships in Athens, where he spoke to Greek outlet Sdna about where he stands these days.
After finally securing an Olympic gold medal last year, Djokovic was asked how he stayed motivated despite having already ticked off just about every major milestone in the sport.
At 38, his reasons for competing have shifted. For him now it’s more than just chasing titles. “Good question… Many people thought that after the Olympics, after winning the gold medal, I would end my career,” said Djokovic. “However, I don’t play tennis just for the achievements.
“Obviously the achievements are a big part of my motivation, but I also play tennis because I really enjoy the competition. I enjoy the process and what tennis brings to me personally, to my family, but also what I bring to tennis, as long as I remain an active professional player.”
Djokovic added: “I know that as long as I compete there will be attention from around the world of tennis. As well as this it also comes with responsibility and although some people may not like it I enjoy it.”
What Novak Djokovic’s path to a title in Athens could look like
Novak Djokovic is preparing for a return to competition at the Hellenic Championships, where he’ll be aiming to add a 101st career title to his already remarkable record.
He doesn’t have the easiest of starts, though, with Alejandro Tabilo up first. The Chilean holds a 2-0 head-to-head record against Djokovic and hasn’t dropped a set in their previous meetings.
READ MORE: Iga Swiatek admits early pressure made transition to Wim Fissette ‘tricky’
Lorenzo Musetti, still chasing qualification for the ATP Finals, also poses a significant threat. Brandon Nakashima, Nuno Borges and Sebastian Korda are other names that could present challenges along the way.
There’s been ongoing speculation about whether Djokovic will participate in this year’s ATP Finals. While he initially hinted at sitting out Turin before securing gold at the Paris Olympics, recent reports suggest he plans to take part after all.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
