Novak Djokovic roars in celebration
Novak Djokovic has revealed that participating at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028 motivates him more than playing at the four Grand Slams – calling the event ‘unique.’
The former world No 1 may have had a relatively disappointing last 18 months – if only by his own very high standard – but seemingly has no plans to hang up his racket any time soon.
Most recently, Djokovic lifted his 100th ATP Tour title at the ATP 250 event in Geneva, a milestone only reached by Roger Federer (103) and Jimmy Connors (109), and is currently on the search for his 25th Grand Slam at the French Open.
However, whilst one more Grand Slam would put him above any singles player – male or female – the Serb revealed that he is even more motivated to participate at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, when he would be 41 years old.
“The only thing I currently have in my vision it’s interesting when we talk about those achievements and the Olympics, which stands out alongside the Davis Cup, what gives me motivation is the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and playing for my country,” Djokovic stated, whilst speaking to Croatian footballer Slaven Bilic.
“And yes, the Grand Slam tournaments, but not even they motivate me as much as the Olympics.”
After three semi-final defeats at the 2008, 2012, and 2021 Olympic events, the 24-time Grand Slam champion finally got his hands on the gold medal when the event arrived in Paris in 2024.
Djokovic was in vintage form, not dropping a set in any of his six matches, and played his best match in the final against Carlos Alcaraz, where he prevailed 7-6(3), 7-6(2).
In doing so, the former world No 1 became the third man to complete the Career Golden Slam (winning all four Grand Slams and a gold medal in singles), after Andre Agassi and Rafael Nadal.
Once he had won the event, Djokovic joked that had ‘completed tennis’ after winning nearly every event that there is to win.
“Yes, I mean if you solely look at it from the perspective of completing achievements and the game itself? Then, yeah, I mean I guess,” stated the Serb, after being asked by GQ if he had, indeed, ‘completed tennis.’
“Both publicly and privately, a lot of people told me they think it’s best if you leave on a high, which I understand, don’t get me wrong, I do understand that.
“But if I still physically am capable and I still feel like I can beat the best players in the world in Grand Slams—why would I want to stop now?”
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Despite the victory, Djokovic believes that nothing comes close to the atmosphere of the Olympic event – even on days when he is not competing.
“I just want to be at the Olympics, to be an Olympian,” he said.
“To experience that moment wearing my country’s crest, walking through the Olympic Village with the world’s best athletes, that feeling is sport itself.
“Anyone who hasn’t experienced it can’t fully understand, but for athletes who have had the privilege to experience it, it is unique.”
The 2028 LA Olympics is due to take place from July 14 – 30, with the location for the tennis category not yet chosen by the tournament organisers.
