Djokovic: "My body reminds me of the age I am, but I still want to prove things"

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 18 Jul 2026 | 07.38

Novak Djokovic, age influence on his tennis. Photo: gettyimages

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Novak Djokovic faces the final stretch of the season with the US Open 2026 on the horizon and with the conviction that he can still compete for the major titles. The Serbian has granted an extensive interview to the American program CBS Mornings in which he reflected on his childhood, the sacrifices demanded by a career like his, the passage of time, the role of his family, and his admiration for Serena Williams.

The winner of 24 Grand Slam titles also took the opportunity to present the documentary Novak Djokovic: The Wolf in Winter, which will be released next month and promises to show a much more intimate side of the Serbian. Throughout the conversation, Novak Djokovic shared numerous reflections on what it means to remain at the top at 39 years old, confessed how war shaped his childhood, and stated that, despite having practically conquered everything, he still feels he has things to prove.

Djokovic and his love for tennis: "It was my refuge since childhood"

One of the most personal moments of the interview came when Djokovic recalled how his relationship with tennis began. It is striking that he grew up in a family of professional skiers and that no one in his environment had played this sport before him.

"I come from a family of professional skiers. I started playing tennis at the age of four. No one in my family had ever picked up a racket before. In Serbia, we did not have a tennis tradition. I fell in love with the sport and asked my father to buy me a racket. That's how this whole love story began," he recalled.

The Serbian went even further in explaining why he has always viewed tennis as a very special space, directly linking it with a childhood marked by the war in the Balkans. "I connect it with my childhood, with growing up in a country devastated by war, with several conflicts during the nineties, embargoes, sanctions, economic and social crises... I probably chose the most expensive sport, and my parents did everything possible to support me," he confessed.

Djokovic also recalled the enormous sacrifice made by his family so he could pursue his career, admitting that his two younger brothers did not receive the same opportunities. "They also wanted to play tennis, but they did not receive the support I had. My parents felt bad about it, but they had to make a decision. So, I promised myself that someday I would compensate my parents and my brothers and give them the best life possible," he stated.

Novak Djokovic describes the impact of competing at 39 years old: "My body reminds me of my age"

The documentary he stars in starts with a particularly revealing statement: "Many times I feel like I am imprisoning myself." A reflection that summarizes the enormous level of demand that has accompanied his entire career. "To perform at the highest level, you have to literally transform every aspect of your life off the court to serve tennis. And that has consequences," he acknowledges in one of the scenes of the documentary.

This idea resurfaced when he was asked how he copes with competing at 39 years old against much younger rivals. "I try to focus solely on playing great tennis. If I don't think about my age, people remind me. And if people don't remind me, my body does," he explained with a laugh.

However, he immediately took on a much more serious tone when describing how physical recovery has changed. "I try to squeeze out every little percentage I still have to continue competing at the highest level against young players. But the body responds differently. It's biology. Over twenty years of competing at the highest level take a toll."

The perfect example was his recent Wimbledon. Djokovic recalled the huge effort put in during a quarterfinal match lasting five hours and fifteen minutes, an exertion that clearly impacted his semifinal against Jannik Sinner. "After that match, I couldn't fully recover for the semifinals. I wasn't as fresh as I would have liked to be. This doesn't take any credit away from Sinner, who won the match and then the tournament, but now things are different."

Djokovic talked about his motivation heading into the US Open 2026

Despite the passage of time, Djokovic made it clear that his eagerness to compete remains enormous, and the US Open still holds a very special place in his calendar. "My biggest rival is always myself," he affirmed when asked who he considers his main threat in New York.

The Serbian also did not conceal the special affection he feels for the last Grand Slam of the year. "The US Open is probably the most entertaining and exciting Grand Slam. It is played in the largest stadium in our sport, and I can't wait to return."

A significant part of that motivation still comes from contact with the fans. "One of the main reasons why I keep competing is the energy of the public. The affection, respect, and recognition I have received especially in recent years from around the world mean a lot to me. I cannot thank them enough."

The importance of family in Djokovic's life: "I want to be the best father and husband possible"

Another of the most intimate themes of the interview revolved around his family and the balance he tries to find in this stage of his career. Djokovic did not hesitate to point out his wife, Jelena, as the main reason he can still strive for the major titles.

"My wife has been a rock. She has been an incredible support. It would be very hard to do what I do without her, without everything she does for our family, and without the way she emotionally sustains our home while I am competing."

The Serbian admitted that one of the hardest parts of continuing to travel the circuit is missing significant moments in his children's lives. "It is tough to leave home and miss important dates or special events in your children's lives. She continues to support me so that I can keep living my dream."

That's precisely why he explained why he has significantly reduced his competitive schedule. "Now I try to find a balance. I don't play as much as before because I want to be the best husband, the best father, the best brother, and the best son I can be."

Djokovic believes he still has things to prove to others and to himself

The interview concluded with an inevitable question: after winning 24 Grand Slam titles, holding the number one spot for 428 weeks, and breaking practically all imaginable records, is there still something to prove? Djokovic's response was as brief as it was revealing.

"Yes, of course. There is always something to prove. Mainly to myself, but also to others. I want to prove to myself that I can always be better than yesterday."

A philosophy that perfectly summarizes the trajectory of the Serbian. On the verge of a new US Open, with a documentary that will reveal the enormous sacrifice behind his career and with the challenge of continuing to compete against the new generation led by Sinner and Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic makes it clear that ambition remains intact. Because even after conquering almost everything, he still finds reasons to pursue a new version of himself.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Djokovic: "Mi cuerpo me recuerda la edad que tengo, pero aún quiero demostrar cosas"

Novak Djokovic