Novak Djokovic promises to stay involved in tennis even after retirement as he expresses his love for the sport ahead of Shanghai Masters
Novak Djokovic shared his love for tennis and expressed his desire to stay involved after retirement, acknowledging all the sport has given him.
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Novak Djokovic at a press conference (Image via ATP Tour)
Serbian tennis legend Novak Djokovic will be back in action this week as he has landed in Shanghai for the ATP 1000 tournament. He is returning to Chinese soil after five years and is excited about it. Ahead of his first match at one of his favorite tournaments, Djokovic talked at length about his love for the tournament and the Chinese people.
Therein, Djokovic was also asked about how big his love for tennis still is. To this, the Serbian replied that his love for the sport would never fade away. Nole also threw light on his post-retirement plans, claiming that he wants to be involved in some capacity because he wants to pay back to the sport.
My love for tennis will never fade away. I have a lot of emotions when I am playing. And not particularly in the tournament but also in practice sessions…I think my relationship with tennis goes much deeper than a tournament or a year or success or failure.
Novak Djokovic said in press conference
Djokovic will be playing tennis after more than a month as the Serbian last played at the 2024 US Open where he suffered a third-round exit.
It’s just a sport I fell in love with when I was very young. I still have the love for the sport. Even when I retire, I think I am going to stay involved in tennis in different roles because I feel like I owe this sport a lot.
Novak Djokovic added
With his return to Shanghai, Djokovic is excited to pick up from where he left.
Novak Djokovic banking on previous success in Shanghai
Novak Djokovic is returning to Shanghai after five years. While he is excited, it’s natural there will be jitters as well. After all, he is the most successful player at the ATP 1000 tournament, with 34 wins in his name, compared to only 5 losses. He has also won four titles so far.
With no tour-level title yet for Djokovic this year, the Serbian is banking on previous success at the tournament. The World No.4 said that he is hoping to do well and also seemed excited to play in front of a hospitable crowd, which the Serbian rarely gets.
It’s been a while, five years. A lot has happened in the meantime in those five years for me and my career, so I was looking forward to coming and experiencing the love and energy and support that I’ve been getting from Chinese fans all these years…I’ve had plenty of success here and in Beijing, won a lot of titles. Hopefully that previous experience and the memories that I have can help me do well this year as well.
Novak Djokovic said. (H/T: ATP Tour)
Djokovic opens his campaign against the home favorite Yunchaokete Bu or Alex Michelsen.
He has been drawn in the same half as Alexander Zverev. Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner sit in the same half.
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Ritesh Pathak
(2150 Articles Published)