Novak Djokovic has ruled out retiring from tennis any time soon ahead of his seismic showdown with Rafael Nadal at the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
The Serb has won a remarkable 24 Grand Slam titles over the course of his career and is still going strong at the age of 37.
While Djokovic remains a formidable player on the tour, one of tennis' greatest eras is drawing to a close.
Roger Federer quit the sport in 2022, Nadal recently confirmed he would be retiring at the Davis Cup and Andy Murray walked away earlier this year after playing doubles at the Paris Olympics.
Novak Djokovic has ruled out retiring from tennis any time soon ahead of his seismic showdown with Rafael Nadal at the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia on Saturday
REUTERS
Given Djokovic's age, and the fact that he failed to win a major this year, many feel his own career is nearly over.
Yet the former world No 1, speaking to La Nacion, has now updated fans by saying he remains eager to add to his Grand Slam haul and will, consequently, keep playing.
“Deep down, I still feel like I have a few more Grand Slams to win,” he said.
“That’s what drives me to keep going, to feel like I can still do it, and to play the Davis Cup for Serbia.
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“Tennis is still my biggest voice for sharing the messages that interest me the most. I still enjoy the process and everything it gives me.
“Maybe some people think I should retire with the Olympic gold, on a high. Others, on the contrary, think I should keep going as long as I’m a candidate for the Grand Slams.
"I’m leaning towards the latter. Maybe I’ll change my mind soon, but now I feel like I want to keep going.
“I feel sorry for those who want me to retire, but I still have some time left.”
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Earlier in his career it appeared as though Djokovic would never be able to usurp Nadal and Federer.
He claimed his first Grand Slam at the Australian Open in 2008 but wouldn't win another until securing glory in the same tournament three years later.
Djokovic insists that period helped him, however, with the Serb expressing a belief that Nadal and Federer spurred him on.
He continued: “It took me three years to win my second Grand Slam and I was No 3 in the world for those three years.
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Novak Djokovic will face Rafael Nadal for the last time at the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia
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“I was also No 2 in 2009 and I was playing at a very high level, but I couldn’t get to win Grand Slams because of those two.
"They dominated everything. I didn’t have the formula to beat them. I was able to win one or two matches against them, but not the important ones.
“Those three years were crucial for my development. They made me hungrier to win, especially against them.
"I knew that if I could find a way to be like those guys in the big matches, and I knew a lot of that came from the mind, I could somehow figure out the Grand Slams and start winning more. And that’s what happened.
Novak Djokovic remains passionate about tennis as the veteran prepares to lock horns with Rafael Nadal
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“I am proud to have been part of it all. Before 2011, I was unable to win Grand Slams because of their presence; they dominated the entire circuit. Those years, between 2008 and 2011, were crucial for my growth.
“They fueled in me a greater hunger for victory, especially when facing them."
