Novak Djokovic hopes to play into his forties like good friend Tom Brady

Novak Djokovic has already learned a lot from NFL great Tom Brady. And after watching Brady play well into his 40s, the 36-year-old Djokovic now hopes he can do the same.

Djokovic holds the men's record 24 Grand Slam titles but shows no signs of slowing down as he prepares to challenge for a record 11th Australian Open title next month. And although Roger Federer has retired and Rafael Nadal missed almost all of 2023 with injuries, Djokovic will be hoping he has several more years at the top.

After all, Brady, who was present in Djokovic's box to watch the Serbian star win this year's French Open final, won his seventh Super Bowl ring at the age of 43.

“Tom Brady is a great example of a champion in his sport and someone who has had such a great career and longevity,” Djokovic said at an exhibition event in Saudi Arabia. He has put a lot of hours and time into himself. care, to recovery, to ensuring that in a sense every aspect of his body and mind is addressed so that he can have a long-term, successful career.

I also know him personally, and I learned a lot from him, from his example, and hopefully I can have a career that lasts to 40 years or maybe even further – let's see.

Djokovic is coming off a season in which he won three of the four Grand Slam titles, but lost the Wimbledon final in five sets to his latest great rival Carlos Alcaraz.

Djokovic lost again to Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 on Wednesday in Riyadh, but said before that exhibition match that he has equally high expectations for next year.

I feel good in my body now and I have played very high quality tennis, the top-ranked Serbian said, adding that 2023 was one of the best seasons I have had in my life. And why stop while you're still playing great? So I'll go ahead and take it one year at a time, one year at a time, and see how far I get.

First print: December 28, 2023 | 4:13 PM IST