Novak Djokovic has expressed his desire to continue playing professional tennis, stating that he is inspired by American football legend Tom Brady’s ability to sustain a successful career into his 40s. Brady played 23 seasons in the NFL, winning seven Super Bowls before retiring at the age of 45.
Djokovic, who is currently 36 years old and preparing for his 22nd professional season, hopes to draw from Brady’s example to maintain longevity in his own career. He emphasized the importance of self-care, recovery, and overall wellness as key factors in achieving a lasting and successful tenure in professional sports.
The Serbian, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, mentioned that he has personally learned from Brady’s career and aims to emulate the quarterback’s lasting success in his own sport, with aspirations to play beyond the age of 40.
In reflecting on his current physical condition and performance, Djokovic noted that he feels great and has been consistently playing high-quality tennis. He cited the year 2023 as one of his best seasons and expressed his intention to continue competing at a high level for the foreseeable future.
Additionally, Djokovic acknowledged the emergence of 20-year-old Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz, who recently clinched a victory over Djokovic at Wimbledon. He welcomed the rise of Alcaraz, especially with the retirement of Roger Federer and the impending retirement of Rafa Nadal, as a positive development for the sport.
Djokovic also highlighted his upcoming participation in the United Cup in Perth and Sydney as he prepares for the Australian Open, where he will seek to secure an 11th title at the prestigious tournament.
As he makes final preparations for the upcoming season, Djokovic reiterated his commitment to taking each year as it comes and continuing to perform at his best.
Overall, Djokovic’s determination to extend his career and maintain a high level of play was inspired by the example set by Tom Brady, and he remains focused on achieving success on the tennis court.
The tennis star emphasized the importance of self-care and recovery in sustaining an enduring sports career and expressed optimism about the future of tennis, particularly with the emergence of young talents like Carlos Alcaraz.
Ultimately, Djokovic’s focus is on the Australian Open, where he aims to add to his already impressive collection of Grand Slam titles and further solidify his status as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
It’s evident that Djokovic’s determination to emulate Tom Brady’s longevity in sports is a driving force as he continues to pursue excellence in the world of professional tennis.
