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At 36, Novak Djokovic is clearly nonetheless on the peak of his powers.
Sitting atop the world rankings, he’s coming off a season by which he gained three majors and is favoured to assert a staggering eleventh Australian Open crown this fortnight at Melbourne Park.
The longer he continues his profession, the extra questions Djokovic will face about when he’ll take into account retiring.
It’s a matter that has been broached publicly with the 24-time main winner in the course of the previous yr. And it was raised once more after his 6-0, 6-0, 6-3 thrashing of Adrian Mannarino within the Australian Open fourth spherical on Sunday.
Djokovic urged he would know when it was time to hold up the racquet.
“I really feel whereas being primary and nonetheless on prime of the sport, I do not really feel like leaving tennis in that place,” he mentioned.
“I really feel like I need to carry on going. Once I really feel that I’m not in a position to compete on the highest degree with the blokes and be a contender for a grand slam title, then I am going to in all probability take into account going into retirement.
“However that may change, clearly. A number of issues can change. I am not a youngster anymore. I am a father and a husband.
“A number of issues occurring within the non-public life off court docket that I get pleasure from, that require my consideration, my presence, my power.
“Nonetheless, I am actually blessed to be the place I’m. Let’s examine how far it goes.”
At the least in the meanwhile, an absence of motivation shouldn’t be a difficulty for Djokovic, who turns 37 in Could.
“I at all times search for the perfect efficiency from myself,” he mentioned.
“So I put a whole lot of effort each single day into making it occur. When it does not occur, I am annoyed.
“It is (motivation) nonetheless there. The hearth continues to be burning. I believe that is what allowed me to be the place I’m and obtain the issues that I’ve achieved.
“A part of me, after all, is having fun with the method. In any other case I would not be taking part in.
“On the finish of the day, I am not taking part in anymore as a result of I would like more cash or I would like extra factors, or no matter. I simply need to play. I actually benefit from the competitors.
“The drive is there. That is crucial factor an athlete ought to at all times have and nurture.
“I do not suppose I am going to be capable to, whereas nonetheless competing, actually form of nonchalantly exit on the court docket and have enjoyable with it. It is simply not me.
“I am a fierce competitor, as many guys on the market are. That is form of my model.”
Including to the fireplace that also burns for Djokovic is successful one other Australian Open.
He’ll transfer a step nearer to that purpose if he will get previous twelfth seed Taylor Fritz within the quarterfinals.
“Grand slams are grand slams,” Djokovic mentioned.
“There’s not a lot extra motivation that you simply want, aside from being a part of probably the most historic tournaments.”
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