Novak Djokovic: “The only thing that still motivates me is the 2028 Olympics.”

At 38 years old, Novak Djokovic continues to amaze the tennis world and rewrite the rules of time. The’sole survivor of the legendary Big Three, with Roger Federer now retired as of 2022 and Rafael Nadal saying goodbye to played tennis in 2024, the Serbian champion has no intention of hanging up his racket. In fact, he has already set his next big goal: the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

This season, Djokovic has still shown he can compete at the highest level. He reached the semifinals at the Australian Open and Roland Garros, going out against Zverev and Sinner respectively, reached the final at the Miami Masters 1000, and captured his 100th career title in Geneva. An impressive roster for an athlete who, despite natural aches and physical wear and tear, continues to dominate an increasingly young and competitive circuit.

In a recent interview, Djokovic explained his new source of motivation: “The only thing on my mind that gives me motivation is the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, even more than the Slam tournaments. That moment when you wear the coat of arms of your country, when you live in the Olympic village with the best athletes: that is sport”. Words that confirm how much the desire to win Olympic gold has become his last great dream.

Djokovic also opened his heart by talking about the past and the difficult relationship with the public, which often preferred Federer and Nadal to him: “I always felt like an unwanted child, the third wheel. I was never as loved as they were. I was the little one who said, “I’m going to be number 1, many people didn’t like it”.