By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, December 26, 2023
Tom Brady (left) applauds as Novak Djokovic hugs coach Goran Ivanisevic after winning the 2023 Roland Garros.
Photo credit: Tim Clayton/Corbis for Getty
Tom Brady cheered Novak Djokovic's resounding run to the 2023 Roland Garros title sitting in the Serbian superstar's support box.
Seven-time Super Bowl champion Brady inspires Djokovic to audibilize against advancing age and play until age 40—and beyond.
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Speaking to the media ahead of his Riyadh Season Tennis Cup exhibition match against Carlos Alcaraz on Wednesday, Djokovic said he has no plans to close the curtain on his career.
Pointing to the fact Brady played quarterback in the NFL to age 45, the 36-year-old Djokovic said he believes he has at least four years or more of top-level tennis.
"Tom Brady is a great example of a champion in his sport and someone who has had a great career and longevity," Djokovic told the media in Saudi Arabia. "He's put a lot of time into taking care of himself, recovering, making sure every aspect of his body and mind is covered so that he can have a successful and sustainable career."
Brady is a devoted Djokovic fan, who was on hand to see the Belgrade-born baseliner defeat Daniil Medvedev to win his 24th major title at the US Open last September.
"Keep kicking ass, like always," Brady told Djokovic after his US Open triumph.
The Grand Slam king, who swept three of the four major championships in 2023 with only Alcaraz's electrifying Wimbledon triumph preventing him from sweeping the calendar Grand Slam, said after delivering one of the best seasons of his career his desire for the game burns brightly.
"2023 was one of the best seasons of my life. Why stop when you're still playing very well?" Djokovic said.
So I'm going to go ahead and take things one year at a time, and see how far I'm going to go."
Five weeks ago, Djokovic crushed Jannik Sinner to claim his record seventh ATP Finals championship in Turin.
Extending his record as the oldest ATP Finals champion, Djokovic captured his 98th career championship, including his ATP-best seventh title of the season in 12 events played.
"One of the best seasons I've had in my life, no doubt," said Djokovic, who improved to 50-18 lifetime at the ATP Finals snaring his seventh title to break the record he previously shared with rival Roger Federer.