“He is already making plans for the 2028 Olympic Games”: Djokovic has not had enough yet

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The numbers that Novak Djokovic has achieved again this year are impressive. The 36-year-old reached the final of all four Grand Slam tournaments, winning 23 of 24 matches. He only lost the final at Wimbledon to Carlos Alcaraz (20).

Djokovic has been number one in the world again since Monday. And because he secured his 24th Grand Slam title in New York, level with women’s record holder Margaret Court (81), there is now no one who, according to tennis history, was more successful than him.

“What are you still doing here?” asked final loser Daniil Medvedev (27/3:6, 6:7, 3:6) during the award ceremony. That was of course meant with a wink. And as a nod to his staggeringly high level, even at the age of 36. And then Medvedev asked when Djokovic planned to slow down. Laugh again.

The Serb also laughed. He later explained at the press conference: “I too sometimes ask myself: why do I still need all this, after everything I have achieved?” But then he quickly came to the same conclusion: “As long as I play at this high level and win the biggest tournaments, I don’t want to leave this sport.”

Djokovic remembers Kobe Bryant

Djokovic took advantage of the moment in New York to pay tribute to his late friend Kobe Bryant († 41) with his 24th Grand Slam title. The basketball superstar, who died in a tragic helicopter accident in 2020, wore number 24 for the Los Angeles Lakers. So Djokovic had a shirt made at short notice during the tournament with the number on the back and the inscription “Mamba Forever” on the front.

He often spoke to the ‘Black Mamba’, as the American was called, ‘about the winning mentality.’ The exchange gave him strength. Because ultimately, he shares Bryant’s vision of aligning everything in life with success.

“You know what’s going on in his head.”

Once again, Djokovic will not lack goals. He will try to avoid Margaret Court. In addition, he still misses the Grand Slam on the calendar, i.e. victory in all four major tournaments within the same year. And: He also makes no secret of the fact that the rivalry that has arisen with Alcaraz excites him.

The Olympic Games await in Paris in 2024 – there too he still misses a victory. Although he might even give himself two chances to do this. Because his coach, Goran Ivanisevic (51), says: “He already has plans to play at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.”

That sounds like a threat, but it is above all one thing: an expression of Djokovic’s ambition. Ivanisevic says: “You know what’s going on in his head. It’s about achieving something for 24 hours.”

Source : Blick