MONACO — It`s a well-known fact that for tennis players nearing 40, the sport becomes increasingly challenging.
Years ago, simply competing at the highest level at this age was seen as extraordinary. While advancements in training, diet, and recovery have made it more common to play longer, winning major championships in your late thirties is harder than ever. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were 36 and 35 when they secured their last Grand Slam titles, respectively.
Novak Djokovic also was 36 when he clinched his record-tying 24th Grand Slam singles title at the 2023 US Open. At 37, he achieved an Olympic gold medal last summer, completing his impressive career achievements. As he starts the clay season, just before turning 38, he is acutely aware of the growing difficulty in winning majors, especially with their best-of-five-set format.
The rise of young stars like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who have dominated recent Grand Slams, is only part of the challenge. Djokovic is also facing more frequent injuries, such as the hamstring issue that impacted his Australian Open run. Minor setbacks, like the eye infection affecting him in the Miami final, also complicate things. Balancing tennis with family life, as his children are now 10 and 7, adds another layer of complexity.
`I`m working on finding balance,` Djokovic stated at the Monte Carlo Masters, his eye infection still noticeable. `Finding equilibrium between my professional and personal life is key. I want to be satisfied with my efforts and maintain motivation for tournaments and daily practice. Staying motivated is definitely harder now than earlier in my career.`
In Miami and Melbourne, Djokovic demonstrated his enduring capability, reaching the Miami final without dropping a set, eventually losing to Mensik while hampered by an eye infection. These strong performances reinforce his belief in his ability to win major titles.
`My Miami performances inspire me to continue,` he said. `Playing well and winning feels great. Early tournament losses bring self-doubt and questions about continuing. Miami reminded me of the joy of playing and my performance level. I hope to carry this form into the clay season. Clay is different, and I need to adjust for this tournament, so I have moderate expectations here. My focus is on gaining match experience and peaking for the French Open in Paris.`
With Andy Murray taking a coaching break, Djokovic is accompanied by his brother Marko in Monte Carlo. He will face Alejandro Tabilo, who defeated him at the Italian Open last year.
Despite occasional dips in motivation, retirement isn`t on Djokovic`s mind. When asked about retiring if he achieves his 100th ATP title and a record 25th Grand Slam this year, he responded firmly.
`No, I don`t think so,` he said. `You never know, but I feel I still have energy. My performances in Australia and Miami prove I can still compete at a high level. This gives me the drive to continue. Some think I should retire on top, which I understand, and some suggested retirement after my Olympic gold. But we`ll see what the future holds. Winning my 100th title at a Slam this year would be amazing, but it`s a big challenge, so I`m staying humble and hopeful.`
For now, the doubts seem to be quieter, at least regarding tennis. `For tennis, at the moment, things are good,` Djokovic concluded.
Marcus Bellamy