Novak Djokovic has revealed that the only motivation keeping him going in tennis is defending his Olympic gold medal at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
The Serbian legend, who won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, says he’s set his sights on one last major achievement before he hangs up his racket. And even though he’ll be 41 by the time LA rolls around, he’s not backing down.
Speaking on the show Neuspjeh prvaka with Slaven Bilić, Djokovic made it clear: the Olympics are now his primary target.
“The only thing that at this moment, professionally speaking, I have in my vision is the Olympics of 2028 in Los Angeles,” he said. “Playing for the national team and Grand Slams too, but not even the Grand Slams, not as much as the Olympics.”
It’s a big shift from the usual mindset of tennis pros. Most aim to peak at Grand Slams, but Djokovic is on a different path now. He’s already claimed 24 major titles, a record that might never be broken. But winning Olympic gold again, this time as a veteran, is what truly fuels him.
He also opened up about how his approach to the game has evolved. Djokovic admitted he didn’t always manage his schedule wisely but learned from watching how Roger Federer planned his seasons.
“Federer helped me a lot in that regard, not directly, but I watched him,” Djokovic said. “He helped me understand how to manage my form, when to take breaks, even if I didn’t want to.”
According to Djokovic, many players fail to prepare specifically for the Grand Slams. While they may say those events are important, their training and schedule often say otherwise.
“For most of your career, when you’re young, every tournament counts. But not everyone is cut out to compete at the top, and that’s normal,” he explained. “There are ways to manage your game, and I’ve made my share of mistakes too. I didn’t rest when I should’ve, but I’ve mostly made the right calls.”
Now, with his legacy already secure, Djokovic is choosing to focus on something that goes beyond individual titles. Representing Serbia on the Olympic stage one more time is what’s keeping his competitive fire burning.
As he reduces his schedule and becomes more selective with tournaments, all roads point to LA 2028. Whether he can pull it off at 41 remains to be seen, but if anyone can do it, it’s Novak Djokovic.
After all, greatness doesn’t retire quietly.
