Djokovic reveals why he plays fewer tournaments than before
The Serbian tennis player is much less active on the circuit than he was a few years ago, and besides his age and his physique, there is another key factor that explains this.
Novak Djokovic is the biggest draw of the ATP Basel 2026. The Serbian tennis player will debut tomorrow against Ugo Humbert, and ahead of his first match, he has revealed why he no longer plays as many tournaments as he used to during the year. Beyond being 39 years old or trying to preserve his physical condition, his family plays a key role in this decision, as he wants to spend more time with them.
Djokovic has been playing at the highest level for over two decades, and on top of that, he has won everything. Today, he plays for enjoyment and to try to fight for another Grand Slam, which is why he carefully manages his schedule and participates in a limited number of tournaments each season. Additionally, as a father of two children, he wants to spend more time with them, something he has explained perfectly in an interview with the ATP before stepping onto the court on Wednesday afternoon.
“I have modified my schedule because I decided to do so, as I need to balance my life: my children, my wife, and other activities. I want to dedicate more time to my family, spend more time with them, and not miss anything, but without neglecting my passion for playing tennis at the highest level. And that’s what is happening now. I feel like I am achieving it well,” he stated.
Djokovic and his preference for indoor courts
Moreover, Novak has also highlighted how well he plays on this type of surface. Indoor hard courts have always matched perfectly with his style over the years, so a great version of Djokovic is expected in this final part of the year aimed at qualifying for the ATP Finals. Unlike last year, in 2026 the Serbian player arrives at the end of the season without serious injuries, which is why he has revealed that he will play in Turin if he qualifies among the top 8.
“I believe that throughout my career I have been quite successful on indoor courts. I have always enjoyed playing indoors, and I think especially now, at this stage of my career, with some physical health issues I have had in the last two years, playing in extreme heat is no longer what I prefer. So playing on indoor courts is better for me because I will have more energy, a constant feel on the court, and I hope to perform well,” he concluded.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Djokovic desvela por qué juega menos torneos que antes