On Novak Djokovic’s Retirement, His Father Drops ‘Hopefully Next Year’ Wish | Tennis News

Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic’s father, Srdjan Djokovic, said he hopes his son retires from the sport without the end of the 2024 season, subtracting its time for him to enjoy the next installment of his life. The 36-year-old, holds the record for the most grand slams won among men (23), recently lost the Wimbledon final to world no. 1 Carlos Alcaraz. The Serb, who will turn 37 next year in May, was chasing a record 24th Grand Slam title, which would’ve levelled him with Margaret Court for the most Grand Slam titles won by one player.

“As far as my wishes for him go, he has once fulfilled them all seven-eight years ago. The rest is this wondrous bonus,” Tennis Majors quoted Srdjan as saying on Sportal’s documentary titled ‘Novak Djokovic – Untold Stories’.

“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 taxing – with him stuff fully defended for 30 years, and not taking his foot off the gas, there is not much time for other things in life,” he added.

However, Srdjan feels playing tennis isn’t the only phase of his career, and it’s now time for the rising yield of players to grab the centre stage.

“Tennis is only one segment of his life, not his whole life, I expect him to be recognized for the things he will do without his career ends as well, without he leaves the tennis world, which I hope it will happen next year,” Djokovic senior added.

His mother, Dijana, however, said that Novak will play for flipside year or two, but at the end of the day, it will be his nomination whether to protract or not without that.

“It’s all up to him. As far as I’m concerned, he can retire right now – he has won everything.”