By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, July 27, 2023
"It’s not the end, but in a year-and-a-half let’s say… My wish as a father – I think for some time that he should have stopped working this extremely difficult job,” Srdjan Djokovic told Sportal.
Photo credit: Davis Cup Facebook
Novak Djokovic continues to rewrite tennis history.
Srdjan Djokovic, Novak's father and biggest fan, has scripted how he envisions his son stepping away from the sport he's dominated.
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The senior Djokovic told Sportal he hopes the 36-year-old Serbian superstar closes the curtain on his brilliant career after the 2024 season.
Could we see two of tennis' most iconic champions, Rafael Nadal, who has already announced he plans to play 2024 as his farewell season, and Novak Djokovic both bowing out after next season?
Novak Djokovic's father said he wishes his son will retire to spend more time with his family and experience life outside of the tennis bubble.
“And for Novak to slowly but surely… It’s not the end, but in a year-and-a-half let’s say… My wish as a father—I think for some time that he should have stopped working this extremely difficult job,” Srdjan Djokovic told Sportal for its documentary, Novak Djokovic Untold Stories. “It’s physically and mentally challenging and very demanding—with him being fully dedicated for 30 years, and not taking his foot off the gas, there is not much time for other things in life.”
Mr. Djokovic said his famous son has already achieved everything in his career and he hopes Novak will retire after the 2024 season.
"As far as my wishes for him go, he has already fulfilled them all seven-eight years ago. The rest is this amazing bonus,” said Srdjan Djokovic. “Tennis is only one segment of his life, not his whole life, I expect him to be recognized for the things he will do after his career ends as well, after he leaves the tennis world, which I hope it will happen next year.”
Two-and-a-half years ago, Srdjan Djokovic famously predicted his son would break the Grand Slam record within the coming two years and that prediction proved prophetic.
"In the next year, a year and a half, he will be the best in all statistical parameters," Srdjan Djokovic told Kurir.rs. "And when he retires very quickly, whatever he does, whatever he does, he will be just as successful as he is in tennis. He is Serbian gold that is yet to be honed."
Novak Djokovic knows all about creating closure.
The world No. 2 owns an astounding .958 winning percentage (925-41 record) when winning the first set in his career.
Though Djokovic is a strong finisher, he has repeatedly said he has no end game in mind.
The 10-time Australian Open champion said he plans to continue competing "as long as I possibly can."
“I would like to play as long as I possibly can," Djokovic told the media. "I don’t have really any number in my head. Things are progressing so far pretty well for me. I can’t complain.
"So as long as I play at this level, as long as I have the fire, I’ll keep going.”
At Wimbledon earlier this month, Djokovic said he enjoys the fitness and energy he draws from living a tennis-centric lifestyle.
"It's kind of a 365-day-a-year dedication. It's more lifestyle for me," Djokovic said at Wimbledon. "It's not an obstacle.
"It's not really something that I feel like it's a burden. It's just I choose to do that, and I like it."