Novak Djokovic makes big retirement statement and reveals Federer and Nadal turning point

Novak Djokovic has issued a warning to his rivals in a wide-ranging interview that saw him open up about a number of big issues.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion has gone a year without winning a major title for the first time since 2017, prompting suggestions he could be close to ending his record career.

However, in a wide-ranging interview with La Nación, the 37-year-old suggested he does not feel close to the end of his career as he insisted there are more titles to be won at the top of the sport.

Djokovic has won 99 career titles and will be keen to get to 100, while he will also be looking to claim a 25th Grand Slam title to move past Margaret Court and become the player with the most major titles in tennis.

Those goals may be driving him towards 2025 and he confirmed his ambition to win again burns brightly as he looks to defeat young guns Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

“Deep down, I still feel like I have a few more Grand Slams to win,” he said. “This is what drives me to continue, to feel that I can still do it and play the Davis Cup with Serbia.

“Tennis is still my biggest voice to share the messages that interest me the most. I still enjoy the process and everything it gives me.

“Perhaps there are people who think that I should retire with Olympic gold, on a high. Others, on the contrary, think that I should continue as long as I am a candidate for the Grand Slam. I lean towards the latter. Maybe I will change opinion soon, but now I want to continue.

“I feel sorry for those who want me to retire, but I still have time.”

Djokovic also spoke about his rivalry with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as he reflected on the moment when the balance of power shifted in their battles and he began to take control.

Novak Djokovic news

The excitement between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal fades as the ultimate rivalry concludes

Top 7 Active ATP Players With Most Hard Court Titles: Novak Djokovic No. 1, Jannik Sinner No. 15

“It took me three years to win my second Grand Slam and I was No. 3 in the world for those three years,” he said.

“I was also No. 2 in 2009 and I was playing at a very high level, but I couldn’t win Grand Slams because of those two. They dominated everything. He didn’t have the formula to beat them. I was able to win one or two games against them, but not the big ones.

“These three years were crucial for my development. They made me more hungry to win, especially against them. He knew that if he could find a way to be like those guys in the big matches, and he knew that a lot of things came from the mind, he could somehow figure out the Grand Slams and start winning more. And this is what happened.

“I am proud to have been a part of all this. Before 2011, I could not win a Grand Slam because of their presence – they dominated the whole circuit. Those years, between 2008 and 2011, were crucial for my growth .

“They fueled in me a great hunger for victory, especially when I faced them.”

As always, Djokovic’s interviews make for compelling viewing, with his reflections on life in war-torn Serbia growing up.

However, these experiences helped build the champion who has dominated the tennis landscape for so long and still seems inspired to win more titles before the end of his career.

Read next: Novak Djokovic gave huge triple boost in race to qualify for ATP Finals