Srdjan Djokovic: I hope that Novak will retire in a year-and-a-half

The father of the 23-time Grand Slam champion thinks that it’s time for Novak to have more time for other things in life

Novak Djokovic Wimbledon 2023 | Chryslene Caillaud / Panoramic

Jamie Malachy

July 26, 2023

Sasa Ozmo

Srdjan Djokovic, Novak Djokovic’s father, hopes that his son will retire at the end of the 2024 season.

“As far as my wishes for him go, he has already fulfilled them all seven-eight years ago. The rest is this amazing bonus,” Srdjan Djokovic said in Sportal’s documentary ‘Novak Djokovic – Untold Stories‘. Djokovic is currently aged 36.

“Tennis is only one segment of his life, not his whole life, I expect him to be recognized for the things he will do after his career ends as well, after he leaves the tennis world, which I hope it will happen next year.”

Srdjan Djokovic went on to say that it’s time for younger players to have their place in the spotlight.

“And for Novak to slowly but surely… It’s not the end, but in a year-and-a-half let’s say… My wish as a father – I think for some time that he should have stopped working this extremely difficult job. It’s physically and mentally challenging and very demanding – with him being fully dedicated for 30 years, and not taking his foot off the gas, there is not much time for other things in life“, Djokovic senior concluded.

In the same Sportal documentary, Novak’s mother Dijana said that she thinks her son will play for another year or two. “It’s all up to him. As far as I’m concerned, he can retire right now – he has won everything.”

Djokovic turns 37 in May next year. This season, he has won the Australian Open and Roland-Garros this year, and reached the Wimbledon finals. At Roland-Garros, he became the only male player to win 23 Grand Slam tournaments in history, breaking Rafael Nadal’s record.

Djokovic never said anything in public about a final age of retirement in tennis. Two months ago, he said for the first time that age was a factor. “Part of me is confident and always aspires to win Grand Slams and biggest titles in this sport, but I also have to be humble about the fact that things are a bit different, you know, with the way I’m feeling on the court month after month, you know. The beating is harder than it was before, physically.”

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