The Serbian at Indian Wells: “I’m number 3 in the world and I still feel competitive. I’ll continue as long as I want.” On Serena Williams’ possible return to the field: “It would be fantastic”
Novak Djokovic has no intention of stopping. In Melbourne, after the final he lost to Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open, he hinted that it might be the last time on the blue hard court that gave him 10 of his 24 Slam titles. However, on the eve of Indian Wells, the second event of his season, the Serbian tennis player once again dismissed the possibility of retiring. “Many ask me why I continue to play and how long I want to continue. I’m still number 3 in the world: it’s not bad, neither in terms of ranking nor results. I’m still competitive and I will continue as long as I want. Why stop if I still feel this fire and I still have the quality and motivation to do it?”, explained Djokovic. Furthermore, there is no shortage of objectives: “I want to win another Slam, in Australia I came close. In the Slams I only lost to Carlos or Jannik: for me it was a phenomenal result. I demonstrated first of all to myself, and then to others, that I can still compete at the highest levels and also that I can beat them.”
THE CALENDAR
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During the press conference on the eve of Indian Wells, where he will make his debut against the winner of Majchrzak-Mpetshi Perricard, Djokovic also clarified that his calendar remains, as always, partly to be defined. The priority remains to prepare as best as possible for the four Grand Slam tournaments, with the declared aim of winning title number 25 of his career. But it’s not just the Slams that guide his choices: “I have to decide where to play not only from a tennis point of view, but above all based on emotions and what inspires me to return to a certain place.”
SERENA’S RETURN
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Djokovic, who will turn 39 in May, then also commented on Serena Williams’ possible return to the court. Now that she can undergo the anti-doping tests necessary to return to the circuit, many hope to see the 44-year-old former world number one return to play. The Serbian is also enthusiastic about the idea: “I haven’t spoken to her, but I think the general impression is that she will return. Maybe she could play a doubles tournament or two with Venus. We are talking about one of the greatest athletes our sport has ever seen, so it would be really fantastic to see her back in action.”
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