For years, Novak Djokovic seemed timeless—a man defying age, gravity, and expectations. He’s conquered every Grand Slam, every surface, and nearly every record in the sport. But there was one mystery he refused to solve—his retirement. That is, until now. In a statement that’s already shaking the tennis world, the Serbian great has finally revealed when he plans to walk away from the sport.

During the 2025 Hellenic Championship, when he was asked to share his thoughts about his retirement plans, he said, “Have I ever considered retiring? It's crossed my mind more than once, that’s for sure. However, I refuse to talk about it. I think I have earned the right to play as much as I want and whenever I want… I understand people's curiosity about 'when,' but for me, there's no countdown in my mind.” But in a rare moment of openness, Djokovic has finally given fans a glimpse into his future.

Hours after securing the 101st title of his career by defeating Lorenzo Musetti by 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the final of the 2025 Hellenic Championships, Novak Djokovic pulled‌ his name from the ATP Finals, citing an injury issue. The 24-time Grand Slam champion has struggled with a greater number of physical issues in 2025 than in previous years. Djokovic suffered injuries at the AO, Wimbledon, and the US Open this year, and seeing these, there were murmurs about him nearing the end of his illustrious career. But recently, he made a very interesting statement. Djokovic said, “I want to retire at the Olympics in 2028 holding the Serbian flag.”

But having said that, the 38-year-old also added, “I don’t know; I mean, I really don’t know, because there are some things that are not entirely in my control. I’m trying to be as healthy as possible mentally and physically.” For a player who has redefined longevity, Djokovic’s declaration feels almost poetic. Although he won the gold medal in 2024, the Olympics has always held a special place in his heart—a stage where national pride meets personal ambition.

And to bid farewell while carrying the Serbian flag would be a fitting tribute to a career built on passion, resilience, and an undying love for his country. Fans can now breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that the sport’s greatest competitor isn’t leaving just yet. Three more years. Three more seasons to witness the genius, the fire, and the legacy of Novak Djokovic—one of the greatest athletes ever to step on a tennis court.

But this isn’t the first time we’ve seen him speak about the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Even in June this year, he said, “The only thing that I have in my head, which gives me motivation, is the Olympics of 2028 in Los Angeles.” But from where does he get so much motivation to keep going even at this age, though?

What inspires Novak Djokovic to keep going?

When the whispers began—about when Novak Djokovic would finally hang up his racket—they came not just from fans or pundits, but from tennis legends themselves. Everyone seemed to have an opinion on when his remarkable journey would end. For example, in September, tennis legend Rennae Stubbs predicted that Djokovic could retire at the AO. 

While the British sports broadcaster, David Law, claimed that Djokovic may retire at Wimbledon 2026. Seeing his recent willingness to take part in the 2028 Olympics, these two predictions might just have been ruled out. But what really keeps him going at this age?

In a previous interview, he stated, “Many people thought that after the Olympics, after winning the gold medal, I would end my career. 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.” He claimed that he enjoys contributing to the prosperity, popularity, and development of the sport.

Having such a hunger for success at 38 is quite incredible. Who has been his biggest inspiration in this journey? In October, during an interview at Joy Forum in Riyadh, Novak Djokovic said, “Longevity is one of my biggest motivations. I really want to see how far I can go. If you see across all the global sports, LeBron James he’s still going strong; he’s 40, Cristiano Ronaldo and Tom Brady played till he was 40-something years old. I mean, it’s unbelievable. They’re inspiring me as well. So I want to keep going, and that’s one of the motivations I have.”

So, while others may speculate about when the curtain will fall, it seems Djokovic is still savoring the act itself. For now, he’s not counting years—he’s counting moments. And as long as that joy remains, tennis fans around the world can rest assured: Novak Djokovic isn’t done writing his story just yet.

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallySports. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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