Novak Djokovic says he has been impressed by LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo and Tom Brady as he targets persevering with his skilled profession into his 40s.
“Longevity is certainly one of my greatest motivations. I actually wish to see how far I can go,” Djokovic mentioned Thursday on the Pleasure Discussion board in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, forward of showing on the Six Kings Slam. “Should you see throughout all the worldwide sports activities, LeBron James, he’s nonetheless going sturdy, he’s 40. Cristiano Ronaldo, Tom Brady performed till he was 40-something years previous. It’s unbelievable.
Editor’s Picks
1 Associated
“They’re inspiring me as effectively, so I wish to hold going, that is among the motivations I’ve.”
Djokovic, 38, has gone two years with out profitable a Grand Slam title, having been overtaken by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, however says he isn’t but excited about hanging up his racket as he tries to win a twenty fifth main to interrupt the file for many Slam singles titles by a person or lady.
Djokovic’s feedback Thursday had a unique tone from what he mentioned after being eradicated from Grand Slams this 12 months. After dropping to Sinner within the French Open semifinals, he hinted it might have been “the final match I ever performed” at Roland Garros. Following a straight-sets loss to Alcaraz within the US Open semifinals, Djokovic lamented that he could not be capable to beat Alcaraz and Sinner within the best-of-five-sets format of majors.
However he additionally had mentioned he deliberate to play all 4 Grand Slams in 2026, and enjoying previous 40 would prolong his profession not less than into 2027.
Brady performed quarterback within the NFL till he was 45, whereas James and Ronaldo are each 40 as they proceed to play.
Djokovic, who co-founded the Skilled Tennis Gamers Affiliation in 2020, can also be hoping to make use of his affect to enhance the game.
Main gamers are pushing the Grand Slams for a higher share of income, whereas the PTPA launched lawsuits towards tennis’s governing our bodies earlier this 12 months in an effort to power by way of modifications.
“I wish to additionally reside to see — reside that means carry on enjoying professionally — what’s coming for our sport, and I’m tremendous enthusiastic about it,” Djokovic mentioned. “These are issues I am unable to be brazenly talking about in the meanwhile, however within the subsequent couple of years, I really feel like tennis is a sport that may be drastically reworked, and I wish to be a part of that change.”
Info from ESPN’s D’Arcy Maine and PA was used on this report.
