Novak Djokovic Sometimes Has to Ask Himself ‘What the F*** Do I Need’ At This Stage of Career, Says Ex-Coach Goran Ivanisevic

Novak Djokovic has reached the twilight of his career, but he is not only challenging the youngsters but is also dashing their hopes of winning titles. He conquered Jannik Sinner in the semifinals of this year’s Australian Open.

Then, in the recently concluded Wimbledon, the 24-time Grand Slam champion overcame Felix Auger-Aliassime in the quarterfinal that lasted more than five hours. This only proved that even at the age of 39, Djokovic still has the drive to taste more Grand Slam glory. Only that his body is not supporting him the way it used to when he was a youngster. He is not able to recover completely after long matches.

Then there are also legends like LeBron James, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi who are defying age to achieve incredible results in their respective fields. But these players play team sports and have teammates to support them. Djokovic doesn’t have that; he has to do it all alone.

He joked after that thrilling win over Auger-Aliassime that he wished he had to play only for 90 minutes like Messi. His former coach Goran Ivanisevic, during his interview with Sportske novosti, was told that James said at the end of the season that he would only play if he was still in love with the process and training, and not with the result. And that, in order for Nole to continue playing as well, he has to love training.

The difference is that LeBron has four more people with him, Messi has ten. Novak has to push himself, push his limits, come to training and go through the shots he’s hit eighty billion times. And sometimes you have to ask yourself, “What the f*** do I need that for?” It pulls you again, you know you can do it, but I’m saying, it’s easier in a team sport.

Ivanisevic also thinks it’s possible for Djokovic to play the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where the Serbian great wants to hang up his racket. Djokovic, who won 12 of his 24 Grand Slam titles under the tutelage of the Croatian coach, was last seen in action in the semifinals of Wimbledon. He lost in straight sets to eventual champion Sinner.

Novak Djokovic names his biggest competitor

Novak Djokovic is promoting his Amazon Prime documentary, Novak Djokovic: The Wolf in Winter, in the United States. There, during an interview with CBS Mornings, Djokovic was asked who his biggest rival will be in this year’s US Open.

Myself, always (smiles). US Open is one of the four Slams. It’s the most, I think, entertaining; most exciting Grand Slam. The biggest stadium in our sport: Arthur Ashe. Can’t wait. One of the biggest things of why I still compete is the energy of the crowd and the appreciation and respect that I’ve been getting — particularly in the last several years — around the world, is something I cannot thank people enough. It matters a lot to me.

Last year in the New York Major, Djokovic lost to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals. It was in this tournament back in 2023 that Djokovic last won a Grand Slam title.

Since then, he has made three more Major finals, losing all to Alcaraz (2023 Wimbledon, 2024 Wimbledon, and the 2026 Australian Open). Djokovic has made the title clash of the US Open 10 times, winning in 2011, 2015, 2018, and 2023.

In 2023, he beat Daniil Medvedev. In last year’s US Open final, the seven-time Grand Slam champion beat defending champion Jannik Sinner in four sets to win his second title in the tournament.

Also read: Italian Tennis Icon Calls Jannik Sinner One of the ‘Best Servers in History’ After Wimbledon Title Defense