Novak Djokovic has revealed the two reasons he's still playing tennis at the age of 37, with former rivals Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Andy Murray already gone from the sport.
The former world No 1 has nothing left to prove, having won 99 titles throughout his glittering career.
Yet while his three rivals have all departed the sport, Djokovic continues to play at the highest level as he chases a 25th Grand Slam title that would move him ahead of Margaret Court.
In a fresh interview with Vijesti, the Serb was asked why he's still playing.
Novak Djokovic has revealed the two reasons he's still playing tennis at the age of 37, with former rivals Andy Murray, Roger Federer and Andy Murray already gone from the sport
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He says that his passion for tennis is one reason, while he also believes that, by continuing to play, he grows as a person as well.
"It is mainly because of the love for tennis, for sports," he said.
"Secondly, there is also the fact that I think that through tennis I develop the most as a person, as strange as it may sound, but on the tennis court during a match I go through a million emotions - some of the most beautiful, some of the worst, and doubts, and criticism, and ecstasy, pleasure, anger, rage, everything else...
"And in those few hours, I sometimes even embarrass myself for what I go through and how I behave, on the other hand, what thoughts appear to me.
"In any case, I am proud that I can go through it all in a humane and sportsmanlike way and lend a hand to the opponent, regardless of whether he won or lost.
"I think that these are the values that sport sends and that is why people identify with athletes. Especially in an individual sport, where you have to beat yourself first to beat the one across the net.
"These are all the life lessons I'm going through, and secondly, I really feel that with my professional playing of tennis, I continue to inspire the younger generation to pick up a racket, not only in our country, but also in the world.
"That's what drives me, really gives me strength, the privileged position and status I have."
Djokovic had been hoping to win another major at the Australian Open last month.
However, he was denied another Grand Slam final appearance after being forced to withdraw from the competition due to injury.
Jannik Sinner went on to secure glory, with the Italian crushing Alexander Zverev in straight sets.
Yet Djokovic feels he would have given Sinner a tough match, especially given his impressive performances throughout the tournament.
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"I always give myself great chances, I cannot be immodest," he added.
"I am an optimist when anyone is across the net and that is something that has always graced my career and led me to sporting heights.
"That's why I say immodestly, I think that with the kind of game that I raised and achieved in the quarter-final victory against Carlos Alcaraz, I would have had a good chance against Alexander Zverev in the semi-final, who should have been beaten and if I had been healthy, and then also against Sinner...
"But well, it is ungrateful to deal with those scenarios, what could have been, that is now in the past, I think that the games and the level of tennis that I reached in Australia are promising for the rest of the season.
Novak Djokovic was pleased with his performances at the 2025 Australian Open
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"Australia as a Grand Slam is special in my career - last year was a bit turbulent, I won the Olympic gold which I was waiting for a long time and which was the main goal, I played the Wimbledon final, but I had an injury and played with a lot of oscillations.
"I didn't have the continuity of a high level of tennis throughout the season.
"So this season I was looking to start with at least a satisfactory level of play and I think I achieved that.
"Of course, it can always be better, but the performance in Melbourne gives me an additional incentive before the continuation [of the season]."
