“He’s accomplished everything,” Russian Tennis legend admits Novak Djokovic will find it hard to remain motivated after winning Golden Slam

Russian tennis legend Yevgeny Kafelnikov watched Novak Djokovic claim the gold medal at Paris Olympics and believes he has little left to prove.

“He’s accomplished everything,” Russian Tennis legend admits Novak Djokovic will find it hard to remain motivated after winning Golden Slam

Novak Djokovic, (in circle) Yevgeny Kafelnikov (via Imago)

Novak Djokovic claimed the singles gold medal at the Paris Olympics, the only piece of silverware missing from his resume. With this achievement, the Serbian has now reached the pinnacle of men’s tennis. However, Russian tennis legend Yevgeny Kafelnikov believes the newly crowned gold medalist will find it challenging to stay motivated on the circuit moving forward.

Before the Summer Games, Djokovic had won 98 titles, including 24 Grand Slams, seven ATP Finals, and 40 Masters 1000 crowns. He was the only player to have won all nine Masters 1000 events and all four Grand Slams. However, the Olympic gold was the one title missing from his trophy cabinet. A bronze medalist in Beijing 2008, the 37-year-old had previously failed to win any other Olympic medal, finishing fourth in both London and Tokyo.

YouTube video

Despite losing to Carlos Alcaraz a few weeks ago at the Wimbledon final, Djokovic flipped the script at the Paris Olympics. In an intense men’s singles final match, he prevailed 7-6 (3) 7-6 (2) to claim his first gold at the Olympics. He finally achieved his career Golden Slam (winning all four major titles and an Olympic gold) and became the oldest player to accomplish the feat.

FS Video

Along with the rest of the world, Russian tennis legend Yevgeny Kafelnikov watched Djokovic claim the gold medal. He admitted that it would be hard for the Serbian to stay motivated in the ATP circuit again.

Novak stayed motivated because he wanted to win the gold medal. Right now, it’s going to be hard to find the motivation. What’s next? I don’t know. If he wants to keep playing for the sake of it, that’s normal, no one will criticize him for that. Again, he’s accomplished everything, I don’t know how he can find the motivation to go further than he’s already done. That’s how I see it.

Yevgeny Kafelnikov said per Tennis Majors

The Olympics was Djokovic’s first title of the season after reaching two finals. He is not competing in the Canadian Open and he withdrew from the tournament while still competing at the Summer Games.

RELATED
“I was just so angry,” Serena Williams finally breaks silence on her shocking defeat to Roberta Vinci at 2015 US Open despite being forbidden by her therapist
Serena Williams

Novak Djokovic to skip second Masters 1000 event

Novak Djokovic will not defend his Cincinnati Open title next after withdrawing from the tournament. The Serbian beat Carlos Alcaraz 5-7 7-6 7-6 in an epic final last year that lasted for three hours and forty-nine minutes.

It is the second tournament that Djokovic has withdrawn from since his Olympic gold victory in Paris. The tournament organizers confirmed the news in a statement, with the director Bob Moran stating his unavailability to feature at the event.

Novak Djokovic (6)
Novak Djokovic (Image via Imago)
We certainly understand that it is a quick turnaround from his Olympic triumph to come to Cincinnati. His title run here last year was so memorable. We are eager to see him on court again soon.
Bob Moran, Cincinnati Open director said per SkySports

Djokovic will be replaced by French star Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the draw of the men’s singles in the tournament. The World No. 48 won the Strasbourg Open in May and reached the Round of 16 of the Citi Open in Washington DC.

In case you missed it: