Novak Djokovic squashes retirement speculations as he strongly makes his intentions clear

Veteran Novak Djokovic has quashed retirement speculations and said he wants to keep playing on the tour. Djokovic hasn’t been able to win a Major in the last two years, and he has been opting out of numerous tournaments due to injury and fitness woes.

However, the Serbian wants to keep pushing on the court and get the desired results. In 2025, Djokovic made it to the semifinals of all four Majors but could not cross the penultimate hurdle against Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. The 24-time Grand Slam champion had to pull out of the Australian Open semifinal against Alexander Zverev due to a hamstring injury.

“Many thought that after the Olympic Games, after winning gold, I would end my career. But I don’t play tennis just for achievements. Of course, they’re a big part of my motivation, but I also play tennis because I really enjoy competing. I enjoy the process and everything that tennis brings to me: to me personally, to my family, but also what I bring to tennis as long as I remain an active professional,” said Novak Djokovic via Universetennis.

The Serbian admitted he has contemplated retirement on many occasions but he wants to keep going.

“Yes, I’ve thought about it more than once, that’s for sure. But I refuse to talk about it. I simply want to enjoy moments like today on the court. Like Stan Wawrinka, I say: ‘Leave me alone. Let me play and have fun.’ There is no countdown. Of course, the idea has crossed my mind, but I play at my own pace, when I want to, not when others think I should stop,” he said.

Djokovic is currently taking part in the ATP 250 event in Athens and he will take on Yannick Hanfmann in the semifinal.

Meanwhile, Djokovic has been drawn in the Jimmy Connors group alongside Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz, and Alex de Minaur in the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, which will commence on November 9.