“Inspire young people to lead a healthier life,” Novak Djokovic discusses the legacy he hopes to leave in tennis
Novak Djokovic will be the only member of the Big 3 active on the tennis tour after the impending retirement of Rafael Nadal.
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Novak Djokovic (Image via X)
Novak Djokovic has built an irreplaceable legacy in the history of tennis. By winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, the Serbian has now claimed every major title in the sport.
Many former and current players expected Djokovic to retire after completing his trophy collection. However, the Serb still has the desire to achieve more. He also wants to ensure that he creates a legacy that ‘endures’ in the game.
I want to leave a legacy that will survive. Of course, I am proud of my achievements on a global level, but I would like my main legacy to be to inspire young people to lead a healthier life through activities, sports, being conscious of what they do, and obviously, if I can, to encourage them to pick up a racket and play tennis. I would like to see more tennis players because it is a beautiful sport that can bring positive things to your life.
Novak Djokovic said in an interview to La Nacion
Djokovic is considered one of the most recognizable athletes in sports. His long list of achievements in tennis history has led many to consider him the greatest tennis player of all time.
I would like to see more tennis players because it is a beautiful sport that can bring positive things to your life. It allows you to see the world, something that not all sports allow you to do. If it had not been for tennis I would never have seen so much of the world in my life.
Novak Djokovic added
Although 2024 has been a relatively quiet year by his standards, Djokovic remains optimistic about returning to top form in 2025. He will be the only active member of the Big 3 on the ATP tour following Roger Federer‘s retirement in 2022 and Rafael Nadal‘s impending retirement at this year’s Davis Cup.
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic put the curtain on the Big 3 H2H battles
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic closed the chapter on the Big 3 head-to-head rivalries after their third-place match in the Six Kings Slam on Saturday (October 19). The Serbian won 6-2, 7-6 in what was their final iconic meeting. However, this match won’t count in their official head-to-head records as it was an exhibition event.
Nadal and Djokovic will end their rivalry with a record of 31-29. They played 60 matches on the ATP Tour, the most in ATP history. This final encounter also marked the end of the Big 3 head-to-head matchups, which began in 2004.
In 2004, Nadal faced Roger Federer for the first time in Miami, defeating the Swiss Maestro in straight sets. The two first met in a Grand Slam at the 2005 Roland Garros semifinals, the same season Djokovic made his Grand Slam debut.
The last official Big 3 match took place at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Djokovic defeated Nadal in straight sets in the second round on his way to winning a historic Olympic singles gold medal.
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Fahad Hamid
(684 Articles Published)