Novak Djokovic has dismissed talk that he should retire, saying speculation about his future does not anger him and that he pays no attention to those who suggest he should stop playing.
The 39-year-old Serbian was asked whether the insinuation that he should hang up his racket infuriates him. Djokovic has won 24 Grand Slam titles over a 23-year career, cementing his place in debates about the greatest tennis player of all time.
Grand Slam drought and recent struggles
His last major victory came at the US Open in 2023, a year in which he also triumphed at the Australian Open and the French Open. He claimed the gold medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024, but has reached only two finals across eight Grand Slam competitions since his win at Flushing Meadows, although he has made the semi-finals on six occasions.
Recent months have seen him struggle physically. He was seen vomiting on court as he suffered back-to-back opening-round losses at the Cincinnati Open and the US Open. He bounced back to win the China Open in Beijing, but has admitted to dealing with an undisclosed health issue in recent years, while insisting his health is now on the right track.
Djokovic on criticism and Agassi's warning
Speaking to Serbian website Sportal, Djokovic said: "Oh well, everything is there. As long as there are people, there will be speculation. It's in people's nature, and it's not only here, but everywhere. People like to criticise, to judge, with insufficient information, but that's not something I'm used to. I don't pay attention. I'm not angry about that, I'm angry about some other things. Some much bigger things make me angry."
In a recent Amazon documentary, Novak Djokovic, the Wolf in Winter, Andre Agassi said: "I don't know when the end will come for Novak, but the one thing I can say is that the end, when it does come always comes fast. I would hope for him that he doesn't wait for too long, not because he can't win anymore, but because Tennis takes your childhood. But then it gives you a chance to be done with your success so that you can raise your children without the preoccupations."
Speaking in July, Djokovic acknowledged Agassi's comments and conceded his final match is approaching, while still believing he has something to offer.
"I'm still feeling I can compete at the highest level, and the results are there. I can still stay a little bit active here and there (smiles), but yeah, the moment is approaching. There's no question it's closer than ever," Djokovic said.
"Andre Agassi is one of the all-time greats, of course. He was part of my documentary, and he said: 'I don't know when the end is coming for Novak, but I'm sure as hell that, when it comes, it comes fast.' I think he's right. Of course, I would lie if [I said] I don't have those thoughts. I do have them. And I don't know if there's a perfect way [to retire]."
"There's a category of athletes that want to leave on top, there's a category of athletes that want to leave because their body is not listening to them, and there's a category of athletes that just get beaten by others and they see they can't go on. Or, it's all of it. So I'm still just trying to enjoy myself competing. I'm there, and we'll have this conversation later."
