Novak Djokovic makes ‘big plans’ statement as he addresses ‘shock’ Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray retirements
Novak Djokovic has described Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray’s retirements as “a shock for the tennis world” as he addressed his own future.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion revealed he still has “big plans” as he asserted his motivation to “make more history.”
Djokovic became the first player to win every ‘big title’ in tennis by securing his maiden Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics in August.
The 37-year-old delivered arguably one of his greatest performances to down Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets in the gold medal match on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
This was the only title Djokovic won in 2024, while he was a runner-up at Wimbledon and the Shanghai Masters. The former world No 1 won his most recent major title at the 2023 US Open.
Djokovic is the last active member of the Big Four after Murray and Nadal joined Roger Federer in retirement this year.
The Serbian hired Murray as his coach last week, and his former rival will be in his box at the 2025 Australian Open.
Djokovic made it clear he has no intention to retire in the near future as he reflected on Murray and Nadal’s farewells.
“We all know that we all have to stop and say goodbye at some point to what we’ve done all of our lives,” the world No 7 told Sky Sports.
“Andy and Rafa [Nadal], we knew that the end was coming. But both of them saying farewell to tennis in the same year, it’s a shock for all of us. It’s a shock for the tennis world because they are legends in our sport.
“I still will try to go strong because I feel like my body is serving me well. I still have motivation to win Grand Slams, make more history.
“That’s one of the biggest reasons why I asked Andy to work with me,” he continued. “Because I still have big plans. So as long as that’s the case, I’ll keep going.
“I don’t have any date in my mind or any result after I achieve it potentially that I’m going to say goodbye and retire.
“I’ll keep going as much as I feel like I can be one of the candidates for the biggest titles in [the] sport.”
