Novak Djokovic has never followed a predictable script. As he approaches his 39th birthday, the Serbian legend is once again forcing the tennis world to recalibrate expectations. Earlier in 2025, Novak Djokovic made it clear that his career end point is not the next season or even the next major, but the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The timing of that announcement was striking. Just months earlier, Djokovic had finally captured Olympic gold at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, completing a trophy set that once felt impossible. At 37, he beat six opponents, delivered under immense pressure, and closed what many believed was the final chapter of his Olympic story.
Instead of stepping away, Djokovic chose to extend the narrative. His decision has drawn admiration for its ambition and raised questions about sustainability. With tennis growing faster and more demanding, staying relevant into a fifth decade of life is no longer just rare. It is unprecedented at the top level.
From praise to puzzlement, reactions have varied. Former world No. 3 Nadia Petrova offered one of the most direct takes. Speaking to ampionat, she applauded Djokovic’s longevity but openly questioned the purpose of another Olympic push after already claiming gold.
Those Games are still a long way off. He already won gold in the previous ones, and I honestly don’t understand why he wants to play in the next ones too.
A gold medal won and a question left open
Petrova’s doubts center on motivation and physical reality. In her view, Djokovic closed the Olympic chapter perfectly in Paris, making a return in 2028 feel unnecessary. She also pointed to the growing physical gap between Djokovic and younger stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, players who now dictate the sport’s tempo.
She acknowledged that Djokovic has still produced high-level tennis this season and added trophies to his collection. But the margins are thinner. Each year brings longer recoveries, heavier rallies, and opponents with fewer physical limits.
Still, Djokovic’s career has been defined by resistance to logic. That is why voices like Patrick Mouratoglou continue to back him. In an interview with EssentiallySports, Mouratoglou described Djokovic as the toughest player he has ever seen, citing his ability to withstand hostile crowds, controversy, and sustained pressure. Coming from a coach who guided Serena Williams, the assessment carries weight.
Whether Los Angeles 2028 becomes a final triumph or an ambitious overreach remains to be seen. But if history is any guide, doubt has rarely slowed Novak Djokovic.
Read the full article here
