No retirement as Novak Djokovic eyes LA Olympics 2028 - 'that fire is still inside me'

The Serbian Novak Djokovic expressed his desire to defend his Olympic Gold.

24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has taken tennis by storm, winning almost every title on the ATP Tour, and is statistically the greatest player to have ever played the game. The Serbian has won the most Grand Slams in the Open Era, taking his tally of titles to three figures following his triumph at the Geneva Open 2024, and has also spent the most weeks as world No. 1.

The only achievement that was yet to be achieved was the Olympic Gold Medal. Most emphatically, the Serbian enjoyed a flawless campaign in Paris, winning the gold without dropping a set and beating this generation’s best player, Carlos Alcaraz, in the final.

The 38-year-old continues to find himself playing tournaments, but the question remains: what else is left for him to achieve? In an interview with Croatian football manager Slaven Bilic, Djokovic acknowledged the magnitude of winning an Olympic gold medal for his country.

“The only thing on my mind right now, and the only thing that motivates me, is the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles,” he said. “It’s interesting when we talk about these achievements and the Olympics that stand out and redemption, the only thing on my mind that motivates me is the Los Angeles Olympics 2028.”

“Playing for the national team and Grand Slams. But not even the Grand Slams, not as much as the Olympics,” Djokovic added.

“Above all, for me, it’s love and passion for the sport,” he declared. “I love tennis, and I still love picking up a racket. The kid in me who fell in love with tennis is still there; I still feel that connection. If I didn’t have that passion and desire to compete, I wouldn’t continue, but I still love going out on the court and winning with a racket in my hands. That fire is still inside me,” said Djokovic.

Despite being at the fag end of the year, Djokovic has managed to qualify for the semi-finals of both the Grand Slams this season and is currently ranked five in ATP rankings, a testimony to the fact that he is still the third best player on tour.

His longevity and consistency are unparalleled, and given his incredible fitness even at the age of 38, it should be no surprise if he manages to compete at the LA Olympics 2028.

Djokovic will now be seen in Wimbledon, where he has won seven titles and is one triumph away from reaching his 25th Grand Slam title, and equalling Roger Federer‘s record for most titles at the All England Lawn Tennis Club.

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