Novak Djokovic expresses desire to return to the Australian Open next year if he remains physically fit and motivated. The Serbian tennis star discusses his recent injury, the changing landscape of men's tennis, and his future plans with his coach.
Novak Djokovic has indicated his intention to return to the Australian Open next year if he remains physically fit, healthy, and motivated. The 37-year-old Serbian tennis star, seeking a record-breaking 11th men's singles title, was forced to retire from his semi-final match against Alexander Zverev on Friday due to an injury. As he left Rod Laver Arena, a venue he often refers to as his 'second home,' Djokovic raised both thumbs in gratitude to the 15,000 spectators.
When asked if this might have been his last appearance at Melbourne Park, Djokovic expressed uncertainty, stating, 'I don't know. There is a chance. Who knows? I'll just have to see how the season goes. I want to keep going. But whether I'm going to have a revised schedule or not for the next year, I'm not sure.' Djokovic has adopted a more selective tournament schedule in recent years, prioritizing preparation for the major Grand Slam events. The former world number one remains determined to claim his 25th Grand Slam title, surpassing the record of 24 women's singles titles held by Australia's Margaret Court. The Australian Open is where Djokovic has achieved much of his Grand Slam success, followed by Wimbledon, where he has won seven titles. Djokovic remarked, 'I normally like to come to Australia to play. I've had the biggest success in my career here. So if I'm fit, healthy, motivated, I don't see a reason why I wouldn't come.' Djokovic's recent performance at the Australian Open has sparked discussions about whether he can still compete with the younger generation of players over five sets. Last year's loss to Jannik Sinner in the semi-final, ending Djokovic's 33-match winning streak at Melbourne Park, raised doubts about his dominance. Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, splitting the four major titles last year, further solidified the notion of a changing guard in men's tennis. However, Djokovic showcased his resilience by recovering to defeat Alcaraz in a grueling five-set match on Tuesday. This marked the second time in seven months that Djokovic battled through injury for a memorable victory, only to be hampered by repercussions in the subsequent round. Djokovic's previous injury setback occurred during his French Open fourth-round victory over Francisco Cerundolo. He tore cartilage in his right knee, forcing him to withdraw from his quarter-final against Casper Ruud two days later. Djokovic, aiming to become the oldest man to win a major in the Open era, stated, 'It's not like I'm approaching every Grand Slam now and worrying whether I'm going to get injured or not. I don't know what exactly is the reason for it. But I'll keep going. I'll keep striving to win more slams. And as long as I feel that I want to put up with all of this, I'll be around.' Djokovic has been coached by long-time playing rival Andy Murray in Melbourne and has yet to decide if their trial partnership will continue. He said, 'We are both disappointed with what just happened, so we didn't talk about the future. I'll give him my feedback, which is positive, and see how he feels and we will make the next step.
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