In a candid reflection on his future in the sport, Novak Djokovic has expressed a keen interest in extending his professional career into his 40s, drawing inspiration from prominent athletes such as LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Tom Brady. Speaking at the Joy Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, ahead of his participation in the anticipated Six Kings Slam event, Djokovic articulated a desire for longevity in his career.
“Longevity is one of my biggest motivations,” the 38-year-old Serbian remarked. “I really want to see how far I can go. Look at LeBron; he’s still performing at an elite level at 40. Similarly, Cristiano and Tom Brady both exemplified remarkable careers into their 40s. Those achievements are incredibly inspiring.”
Despite experiencing a challenging two-year stretch without a Grand Slam title, where he has been surpassed by rising stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, Djokovic remains undeterred. His goal of clinching a record 25th Grand Slam title—one that would transcend both men’s and women’s records—fuels his ambition to continue competing at high levels.
Interestingly, Djokovic’s recent sentiments stand in stark contrast to comments made following his exits from major tournaments this year. After losing to Sinner in the semifinals of the French Open, he hinted that it could have been “the last match I ever played” at the tournament. His loss to Alcaraz at the US Open also prompted him to reflect on the challenges of competing against younger rivals under the best-of-five-sets format.
Nevertheless, Djokovic has indicated his intention to participate in all four Grand Slam events in 2026, which could extend his professional playing days into 2027 and beyond. With Brady having retired from the NFL at 45 and both James and Ronaldo thriving at 40, Djokovic seems to believe there is still ample opportunity for him in the arena of professional tennis.
Beyond his personal goals, Djokovic is also focused on driving positive change within the sport. As co-founder of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), established in 2020, he aims to advocate for a more equitable distribution of revenue from Grand Slam tournaments. This year, the PTPA initiated legal actions against tennis’s governing bodies to push for reforms.
“I want to keep playing professionally and be part of the changes that are coming to our sport,” Djokovic concluded. “While I can’t discuss everything openly just yet, I feel excited about the potential transformations in tennis over the next few years, and I want to contribute to that evolution.”
As Djokovic prepares for his upcoming matches, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how his career unfolds in these later stages and how he navigates the evolving landscape of professional tennis.
