Novak Djokovic explains why he continues to play.
It is not only passion and the desire to win more victories, but also the feeling “that he can thus contribute to the popularity of tennis” that drives Novak Djokovic not to give up and continue to take the court at the age of 37. The Serbian champion said this in his press conference on the eve of his debut at the Madrid Masters 1000, where he will face Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi in the second round to begin the path to possible No. 100 success on the ATP circuit.
Djokovic has not played in Madrid since 2022, when he was defeated in the semifinals by Carlos Alcaraz, who, however, is not participating in the tournament due to injury. “What Alcaraz has achieved at his age is not normal. I’m sure we will still see him often winning the most prestigious trophies in the next 10, 15 years” said Nole, the last representative of the generation of champions who gave way to Jannk Sinner and co.
“It takes a while for people to accept the fact that Roger Federer and Rafa Rafa are no longer playing, and neither is Andy Murray. And someday it will be my turn – he added -But I am still trying to stay there and represent the old guard. The sport, however, is more important than any individual.”
“We are all here in the service of tennis, and in recent years the major tournaments, not just the Slams, have had record audiences. That is a good sign, because attendance should not depend only on the big stars or legends of the game who have retired. The sport should outlive everyone, and it will”.
