Djokovic: "I know that many people would love for me to retire so that this era ends"

Mónica Barberán Munera | 25 Jul 2024 | 15.21

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There are only two days left until tennis kicks off at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. This morning, we learned about the potential matchups for the players. Following the draw ceremonies, Novak Djokovic appeared at a press conference with the Serbian team, openly discussing his chances for the gold. As the world number 2, he believes one should never count himself out, even though he hasn't secured any titles so far this year. Additionally, he reflected on the end of an era with the retirements of Andy Murray and Rafa Nadal.

- Do you consider yourself a favorite this year?

"People will always talk about who is the favorite. I haven't won anything until August, which gives them a reason to overlook me. That can be motivating because I've been counted out many times before and have always come back. The expectations for the Olympic Games are high, and I can't and don't want to change that. It creates personal motivation for me to approach it in the best possible way and achieve the best possible result. Unfortunately, I lost in the semifinals before, which was an obstacle I couldn't overcome, but I hope to succeed this time."

- High expectations in Paris

“I'm very excited. I believe the Olympic Games are a very significant event. I can't wait to represent my country. I have high expectations for this tournament. I lost in the semifinals in Tokyo and will aim to improve on my results from three years ago. I feel better and more prepared than before Wimbledon. I've had many opportunities for the gold, and now I need to start seizing them. The Olympic Games have always been a great challenge for me. I've focused all my preparation on this tournament. I think I'll adapt immediately to the conditions of Roland Garros as we played there two months ago."

- On a potential second-round match against Nadal

“It will surely be a spectacle, reminiscent of the old times when we played on almost all the major tennis courts worldwide. I'm also excited about that potential showdown, but I have to overcome the initial obstacle and do my best to go as far as possible."

- Murray, Nadal, and the end of an era

“I hope Andy has the best possible farewell in his last competitive match here at the Olympics, for him and for his country. He's a legend in our sport, an incredibly significant player on a global scale. Nadal, likewise, especially with all the results and achievements he's had, particularly in this city, at Roland Garros. He hasn't announced when his final tournament will be, so hopefully, for the sake of the sport, he can continue.

I'm aware that with Nadal and Murray's retirements after the Games, an era is coming to an end. I believe my career is also nearing its conclusion, but I think there are and will be players capable of bearing the weight of being the best. I'm not thinking about retirement, although I know many people would love for me to retire so this era ends. However, I think as long as at least one of us remains, this era will continue. I've witnessed the shift of many generations in the last 15 years. The end is closer than the beginning, but I still enjoy competing and will continue until I no longer do."

- Pending matters at Roland Garros

"This year, we haven't had enough time to prepare properly because the tennis calendar was very packed. I played Wimbledon because it's the most important tournament in our sport, and it's also on a softer surface, which allowed me to adjust to my knee injury. I also didn't have adequate preparation before Wimbledon, but in the last four or five days, I've felt more prepared for the Olympic Games than for Wimbledon."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Djokovic: "Sé que a mucha gente le encantaría que me retirara para que esta era termine"