Novak Djokovic has no plans to retire whilst 'still on top' as he made a 14th Australian Open quarter-final
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Published 21/01/2024 at 07:56 GMT
Novak Djokovic has firmly put to bed any hints that he might be starting to consider retirement, after reaching the quarter-finals of the Australian Open for the 14th time. He comfortably dispatched Adrian Mannarino in three sets, and on this form is going to be a danger for anyone. He next takes on American Taylor Fritz, who stunned Stefanos Tsitsipas in their fourth-round clash.
'I don't feel like leaving tennis' - Djokovic answers retirement question
Retirement talk has been in the air at the Australian Open, with a few greats looking unlikely to make it back to Melbourne next year. But with 36-year-old Novak Djokovic finally finding some better form as he surged into the quarter-finals here yet again, it doesn’t look like the Serbian world No. 1 has any intention of following suit.
Djokovic has been struggling to produce his very best tennis at a tournament where his record speaks for itself. Having dropped a set in both the first and second rounds, Djokovic seemed to find some better form in beating Tomas Martin Etcheverry in straight sets before Adrian Mannarino was dispatched with relative ease 6-0 6-0 6-3.
“I thought maybe I would this year feel slightly more relaxed, for lack of a better term. Or maybe less tension, less stress on training, on practice sessions, on matches but it’s not,” said Djokovic.
“But it is as it always was, very high tension, you could see it today - I was 6-0, 2-0 up and there was a long game and it was very you know a lot going on with heated discussions with my box.
"I always look for the best performance from myself, so I put a lot of effort every single day in making that happen and when it doesn’t happen I’m frustrated.”
A wrist injury has been a concern, as has the rise of the next generation of players. Carlos Alcaraz wrestled the Wimbledon title from Djokovic last season, while Jannik Sinner got the better of the world No. 1 in their round-robin match at the ATP World Tour Finals in Turin at the end of 2023, backing that victory up with another in the Davis Cup a few days later.
But while his legendary rival Rafael Nadal has hinted that 2024 might be his last year on tour, and many expect the likes of Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka and Richard Gasquet to be also heading for retirement, Djokovic doesn’t see any reason - yet - to start thinking of a life on the beach.
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“I feel while being No. 1 and still on top of my game, I don’t feel like leaving tennis while in that position," he said.
"I feel like I want to keep on going, and when I feel I’m not able to compete with the guys on the highest level and be a contender for a Grand Slam title then I’ll probably consider going into retirement.
“But that can change obviously, a lot of things can change, I’m not a teenager anymore. I’m a father and a husband and a lot of things are happening off-court that I enjoy and that require my attention, my presence and my energy so yeah, still you know, I’m really glad to be where I am and let’s see how far it goes.”
Djokovic has made no secret of his desire to bow out as the undisputed best in the world, and he is chasing the outright singles Grand Slam record here, looking for number 25 that would take him one clear of Aussie legend Margaret Court. He is already two clear of Nadal, and four clear of Roger Federer in the men’s standings.
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Djokovic in imperious form as he thrashes Mannarino - Australian Open highlights
“The fire is still burning and I think that’s what allowed me to be where I am and achieve what I’ve achieved," he said.
“Part of me, of course, is enjoying the process, otherwise I wouldn’t be playing. I'm not playing anymore because I need more money or because I need more points or whatever. I just want to play and I really enjoy the competition.
“The drive is there and that’s the most important thing an athlete should always have. I don’t think I’ll be able to - whilst still competing - nonchalantly go out on the court and have fun with it, that’s not me, I’m just a fierce competitor as many guys out there and that’s my style.”
Djokovic faces Taylor Fritz in the Australian Open quarter-finals, with Grand Slam number 25 still a very real possibility in Melbourne.
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