Novak Djokovic makes retirement feelings crystal clear after hammering Daniil Medvedev in US Open final
Novak Djokovic won a 24th Grand Slam title at the US Open
REUTERS
Novak Djokovic has made it clear he has no plans to retire after powering his way to victory over Daniil Medvedev in the final of the US Open.
The Serb was too strong for his opponent, winning 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Djokovic has been questioned ever since losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the final of Wimbledon back in July.
Yet those who believe the 36-year-old to be a faded force have been proven wrong, with the Serb still very much the man to beat.
Daniil Medvedev had no answer to Novak Djokovic in the final of the US Open
REUTERS
And Djokovic, speaking after his win over Medvedev, has insisted he plans to keep going and that retirement isn't currently on his mind.
"I'm going to keep going. You know, I feel good in my own body," he said.
"I still feel I've got the support of my environment, of my team, of my family.
"The Grand Slams, I have said in the last few years, have been always the highest goal and the priority of mine in the whole season.
"I don't play as much in terms of other tournaments, so I try to prioritise my preparation so that I can peak in slams.
"These are the moments and these are the kind of emotions that I motivate myself with every single day when I'm not playing a tournament.
"Yeah, occasionally I ask myself 'why do I need this still at this stage after all I have done, you know? How long do I want to keep going?' I do have these questions in my head, of course.
"But knowing that I play at such a high level still, and I win the biggest tournaments in this sport, I don't want to leave this sport if I’m still at the top, you know, if I'm still playing the way I'm playing."
He added: “Eventually one day I will leave tennis in about 23, 24 years.
“And there is going to be new young players coming up.
"Until then, I guess you’ll see me a bit more.”
Djokovic was also asked whether he had a Grand Slam target in mind.
But the world No 1 has insisted he hasn't thought about a specific number of majors and would keep playing until he believes the time is right to walk away.
“I don’t put any number right now in my mind on how many slams I want to win until the end of my career," he added.
"I don’t really have any number.
“I’ll continue to prioritize them as my most important tournaments and where I want to play the best tennis.
"So that will not change. That will stay the same in the next season or I don’t know how many more seasons I have in my legs. So let’s see.”
One accolade Djokovic hasn't claimed throughout his glittering career in Olympic gold.
He's expected to try and end his wait for that prize in Paris next year.
But Djokovic hasn't ruled out playing in Los Angeles in 2028 either, such is his determination to keep going.
“The Olympic gold medal is one of my goals and I hope I will fulfill it before my career ends," he added.
"I have to admit that my thinking goes that way: ‘So, the next Games are in Paris, if I am not done by then, then we go to L.A.'
"It depends on numerous factors – first and foremost, do I feel in my heart and soul that I want to do it, that I am motivated when I wake up because I am a father of two children and sometimes I leave them for more than a month.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Novak Djokovic is back on top of the world after beating Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final
REUTERS
"The important thing is that I have the support of my family and close ones.
"For how long I will keep on playing – I don’t know at this moment.”
You may like
