Monaco – For tennis players in their late 30s, it is undeniable that things don’t make it easier.
Not long ago, even playing at the top level at such an age would have been considered almost a copycat. While it has become much more common due to advances in athletic ability, nutrition and recovery, in reality, it is more difficult than ever to win the biggest title in sports in older age. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were 36 and 35 respectively when they scored their final majors.
Novak Djokovic was 36 years old when he won the latest record 24 Grand Slam singles titles at the US Open in 2023. He was 37 years old, winning the Olympic gold medal last summer. But when he starts his 38th birthday shy for just a month, he knows how hard it is to win a major in the best of five sets, and it will play just as it is.
Not only is the appearance of Janik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, but it also has complicated problems that they have won the last five slams and six of the last seven. For Djokovic, injuries became inevitably more common, like hamstring tears that ended his fantastic Australian open run in the semi-finals in January. And a bit of it seems like it’s coming to make life very tough, like the eye infection that affected him in the final last month in Miami, and it seems like it’s encouraging two weeks otherwise, it’s likely that something little will come out to make life very tough. And his children are now 10 and 7, and playing tennis and juggling the family is increasingly a fight.
“I’m trying to do a balanced act as I go with you,” said Djokovic of the Monte Carlo Masters on Sunday. “When I say ‘balance’, what I mean is that I can find a truly wonderful balance between my professional and personal life, be happy with what I’m doing and how I’m doing, and still motivate me to practice every day, not only continue in the tournament.
In Miami, like Melbourne, Djokovic showed that when he was in his game he was still a force to consider, reaching the final without dropping the set, only dropping in two tiebreaks to the inspired Mensik who could not help with eye infections. Such weeks are enough to convince him that when things go well he can still win the biggest title.
“The performance I had in Miami… when I play that way, it clearly gives me more inspiration to keep moving and keep going,” he said. “When you hit the ball well and win games, you feel good on the court. Obviously, when you start to lose early in the tournament, that’s when you ask questions. More questions come up.
“I’m happy that you found joy on the court and felt the performance level you’ve had, at least in Miami. So let’s see if you can bring that to clay, Paris.”
Andy Murray is taking a break from coaching duties after accompanying Indian Wells and Djokovic of Miami, so the world No. 5 is joined by Monte Carlo’s brother Marco this week. Djokovic will begin a title bid for Chilean Alejandro Tabilo, who confused him at the Italian Open last year.
And while his motivation may have been shaking at times over the past year, it appears that Oki has no immediate retirement plans. If his 100th ATP Tour title matches this year’s record 25th Grand Slam title, if he quits on the spot and heads out to the best ever, his answer would have been strong.
“No, I don’t think so,” he said. “You never know. Let’s take a look. I still feel like there’s gas left in the tank. In Australia and Miami, I feel like I know I can still play at a high level. It’s still satisfying and able to compete. Of course, I want you to win me the 100th title.
The voice seems to be quiet for now. “Not anything else, not that much,” Djokovic said. “But now, in tennis, we are in good condition right now.”