Retirement rumors surged after the Australian Open loss, but Djokovic has provided the latest response.

Djokovic’s future remains one of the most closely watched topics in tennis, particularly after his loss in the Australian Open final, which sparked renewed retirement talks. At 38, leaving the sport might appear natural, but this Serbian icon has no intention of retiring. On the contrary, he has clearly stated his goal: targeting the next Olympic Games and planning to compete at least until 2028, continuing a career defined by a strong sense of mission and unyielding ambition.

On the day the Winter Olympics opened, a fan asked Djokovic about his future plans, including whether he would keep competing and when he might retire. Djokovic’s answer left little doubt: “I am not considering retirement. My goal is to play until the 2028 Olympics. Living in the Olympic Village alongside other athletes is a unique experience.”

He went on to elaborate on his mindset and long-term vision: “Although it’s still far away, I genuinely want to keep going until then.” This statement confirmed that he views the 2028 Olympics as a clear objective.

Djokovic achieved a historic milestone at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 38-year-old finally secured his first Olympic gold medal, the only major honor missing from his illustrious career. Because of this, many expected him to retire after winning gold, believing he had nothing left to prove, but the former world number one never agreed with that view.

In fact, this was not the first time he mentioned the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Last year, during a podcast hosted by football coach Slaven Bilić, he expressed similar thoughts.

In that interview, Djokovic explained the true source of his motivation: “Right now, the only goal in my mind, the only thing keeping me driven, is the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Most importantly, it’s my love and passion for the sport. I love tennis and still enjoy holding the racket.”

He added: “The kid who fell in love with tennis all those years ago is still inside me; I can still feel that connection. Without that passion and competitive desire, I would have stopped long ago. But I still love stepping onto the court, racket in hand, to win. That fire still burns within me.”

His affection for the Olympics extends beyond tennis. Even during the Winter Games in Italy, he actively supported athletes from other sports, and his presence and interactions demonstrated his deep connection to the Olympic spirit.

Recently, American skiing star Lindsey Vonn shared messages of support from various athletes and celebrities. Djokovic reposted this on Instagram with a brief but powerful comment: “Keep it up, Lindsey.”

Djokovic’s determination has impressed many former players and experts. Competing at the highest level at 41 will undoubtedly be a huge challenge, but his passion and belief keep this dream alive. For now, retirement talks can be set aside. Novak Djokovic’s journey continues, with his focus firmly fixed on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

In the 2025 season, Djokovic remains competitive, though results have been tough. He reached the semifinals of four Grand Slams but failed to advance to any finals. The gap at the top level has become increasingly narrow and harsh for the veteran. At the Australian Open, he still delivered a strong performance, defeating Sinner in the semifinals, but lost to Alcaraz in the final, missing out on a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.

After the match, Alcaraz commented on Djokovic’s physical condition and discipline, noting that he still possesses the physical capability to compete: “His body feels like he’s 25 years old. It’s crazy that he can enter matches at that level. As for the quality of play, that’s another matter.”

“He may struggle with form and has experienced ups and downs, but from a physical standpoint, he is still in excellent shape. It depends on him. If his goal is to play one more Olympics, I’m very confident he can do it.”

Against the backdrop of differing opinions in tennis, Djokovic’s Olympic dream remains a key storyline. The coming seasons will determine whether he can truly turn this ambition into reality.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Spark)