Djokovic Intends to Compete in His 40s, Looking to Follow LeBron James and Ronaldo’s Longevity

Djokovic Dismisses Retirement Rumours, Targets Playing into His 40s Inspired by LeBron, Ronaldo, and Brady.

24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has firmly dismissed speculation about retiring, revealing his ambition to continue competing well into his 40s. Drawing inspiration from sporting icons like LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Tom Brady, Djokovic aims to emulate their remarkable longevity at the top level.

Speaking at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the 38-year-old Serbian star said extending his career is a major motivation. “Longevity is one of my biggest drives. I really want to see how far I can push myself,” Djokovic said. “If you look at global sports, LeBron James is still going strong at 40, Cristiano Ronaldo and Tom Brady played into their 40s—it’s unbelievable. They are an inspiration.”

Djokovic also expressed his desire to remain part of the sport’s evolution. “Tennis can undergo great transformation in the next few years, and I want to be part of that change. I want to play as the sport rejuvenates and help set a platform that lasts for decades,” he added.

Although Djokovic has reached the semi-finals of all four Grand Slams this year, he has not won a major since the 2023 US Open. He recently competed at the Shanghai Masters, losing to Valentin Vacherot, who went on to win the title.

The Serbian ace has also faced injury challenges over the past 18 months. After losing the World No. 1 ranking to Jannik Sinner at last year’s French Open, Djokovic dropped out of the top five, ending an extraordinary 825-week run at the elite level.