Djokovic: I want to finish my career in Los Angeles, I think I can go that far

The greatest tennis player of all time, Novak Djokovic, has emphasized that his plan is to end his career at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Two days ago, Djokovic lost to Thiago Agustin Tirante (2:1) at the start of the Cincinnati Masters, and in an interview with the Spanish newspaper "Sport" he said that he hopes to be able to make it to the 2028 Games, where he would end his career.

"I think it's both. A dream and a goal, but also a desire. I've said it a few times in recent years - I'd like to make it to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. I think I can do it. We'll see. It will depend on how my body reacts and many other circumstances. I don't play and compete in as many tournaments today, and certainly not as many as I have in the last twenty years," said Djokovic.

The greatest tennis player of all time explained why he chose to participate in fewer tournaments.

"And I chose to do so because I also want to spend more time with my family and really dedicate myself to the different roles I have in life - as a husband, father, son or brother - as well as to develop other things that interest me. Of course, tennis is still at the center of my professional life, but I also want to find a balance and that's why I revised my calendar. However, I still hope that I can make it all the way to the Olympics and end my career like that, with the Serbian flag on my shoulders," Novak said.

Djokovic also spoke to the Spanish "Sport" about his documentary "Wolf in Winter", explaining why it is called that.

"Because I think it reflects resilience and that spirit of not giving up. In the most difficult circumstances, when you feel like everything is against you and you won't be able to achieve your goal, you somehow find that inner strength and confidence that allows you to move forward in the most complicated moments. That's why I think this title, like the name of the documentary, also reflects my childhood and the way I grew up. I grew up in the mountains and I spent a lot of time there, both in the summer and in the winter. I love winter, and when I was young, I also skied. So it has a very special, authentic and symbolic meaning for me and my life," Djokovic pointed out.

Novak also talked about the consequences and sacrifices he had to endure during his career.

“Every journey has its sacrifices, right? You have to give up something in order to fully surrender or dedicate yourself to something else. So when I was talking about those kinds of consequences in general, I was thinking of aspects ranging from relationships with those closest to you, to the time you would have liked to spend doing other things or being with your friends. Also, not having the childhood that most of your schoolmates, people of your generation or your friends have, because you have to be completely dedicated to an individual sport. But it’s all part of the journey and I don’t say that with bitterness. Nor am I saying this to complain about anything. It just is what it is. And that’s what we tried to show through the film. I hope that even people who don’t necessarily follow sports or tennis can identify or recognize some of the universal values ​​that are presented in it, such as resilience, perseverance, self-confidence, family values ​​and, ultimately, the importance of believing in yourself, your dreams and your vision.”

One of the first scenes in the film is of Djokovic with the Olympic gold medal from Paris, won in 2024.

"Being 37 when I won Olympic gold meant that it was probably my last big chance to get it, at my fifth Olympic Games. It had been very close before. I won bronze in Beijing back in 2008 and I had been close at every subsequent edition, but I had never managed to reach the final and fight for gold. So Paris for me was a really incredible achievement and experience, probably the most important moment in my life and career," Djokovic said, then explained.

"First of all, considering the circumstances in which it happened: at 37 years old, after all the difficulties and four unsuccessful attempts to reach the Olympic final, and playing against someone who was the best player in the world at that time, Carlos Alcaraz, who was very young, but was already winning Grand Slams. It was really wonderful, something very special for me and my family. That my wife and children were there to experience that moment and celebrate it with me, and that I returned to my country the next day with the Serbian flag on my shoulders... It was unforgettable. Truly, it's something you probably only experience once in your life," an emotional Djokovic said.

The documentary also includes footage from when Novak was a child. The journalist was interested in what little Novak would be most proud of today if he could see all this?

"Little Novak dreamed of becoming a professional tennis player, of winning Wimbledon and becoming number one in the world. But I think that young Novak never imagined that all of these things would actually happen. So I think he would be very happy, proud and excited. But he would also be grateful, very grateful for all the experiences, both good and bad, that I went through and that we tried to share through this film," concluded Djokovic.