Tennis legend Novak Djokovic has opened up about his retirement plans, insisting he has no intention of stepping away from the sport anytime soon—while taking a subtle dig at younger rivals Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
The 38-year-old Serbian star made the comments after winning the Hellenic Championship in Athens, where he defeated Lorenzo Musetti in the final. The triumph marked his final appearance of the season, as Djokovic later announced his withdrawal from the upcoming ATP Finals, with Musetti stepping in as his replacement.
Asked about how long he plans to keep playing, Djokovic revealed his goal to remain on tour until at least 2028, aiming to represent Serbia at the next Olympic Games. The world No. 1 captured the gold medal in Paris last summer, and he wants another shot before calling time on his remarkable career.
“I’ve always had this throughout my life and my career; I’ve always had a schedule in my head for a year or more of what I want and how I want it,” said Djokovic.
“Since I’ve achieved absolutely all possible goals, I said that about the 2028 Olympics because I wanted to play for so many more years. So maybe ending up at the Olympic Games with the Serbian flag—that would be nice.”
Djokovic’s comments were seen by many as a thinly veiled message to Alcaraz and Sinner, both tipped as his long-term successors. The Serb has continued to dominate despite their rise, maintaining his grip on the sport well into his late 30s.
With 24 Grand Slam titles and counting, Djokovic’s decision to extend his career ensures the next few years will remain a battle between experience and youth at the very top of men’s tennis.
