Novak Djokovic has, by all accounts, ‘completed tennis’, winning every big trophy in the sport.
The Serbian ATP star is a record 24-time Grand Slam champion, having achieved more success at the Major tournaments than any other player in tennis history.
He’s also won all nine Masters 1000 events, completing two ‘Career Golden Masters’ (Djokovic won all nine events twice).
Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Davis Cup and ATP Finals glory were also achieved early in Djokovic’s career, as just one title eluded him.
The Serb had failed in his first three attempts to win Olympic Gold before Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz in Paris last year to finally receive the medal he longed for.
Speaking ahead of this year’s French Open, Djokovic revealed the ‘one thing’ keeping him from retiring, having accomplished everything he set out to achieve in tennis.
Novak Djokovic says returning to the Olympics in 2028 motivates him more than winning a Grand Slam
During an interview with Croatian soccer legend Slaven Bilic, Djokovic highlighted the one goal he has left to accomplish in tennis.
“The only thing I currently have in my vision it’s interesting when we talk about those achievements and the Olympics, which stands out alongside the Davis Cup, what gives me motivation is the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and playing for my country,” he said.
“And yes, the Grand Slam tournaments, but not even they motivate me as much as the Olympics.”
Djokovic explained why he is so motivated to return to the Olympics, having already won Gold in 2024.
Photo by Antonio Borga/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
“I just want to be at the Olympics, to be an Olympian,” he said.
“To experience that moment wearing my country’s crest, walking through the Olympic Village with the world’s best athletes, that feeling is sport itself.
“Anyone who hasn’t experienced it can’t fully understand, but for athletes who have had the privilege to experience it, it is unique.”
The 2028 Olympic Games will take place in Los Angeles, USA, from Friday, July 14, to Sunday, July 30.
How old will Novak Djokovic be at the 2028 Olympic Games?
If Djokovic does appear at the 2028 Olympic Games in LA, he’ll do so as a 41-year-old.
Since tennis returned to the Olympic schedule in 1988, no player has won Gold aged 40 or above.
Ages of men’s Olympic Gold medallists in tennis
In fact, no player other than Djokovic himself has won Gold past their 30th birthday.
Not afraid of making history, the Serb will look to improve upon his impressive Olympic record if he does choose to return in three years’ time.
Djokovic has reached the semi-finals of four Olympic competitions, producing some of his best tennis when representing his country.
2008 Olympics – Novak Djokovic won Bronze
Making his first appearance at the Olympics, Djokovic started strongly in Beijing, reaching the semi-finals without too much difficulty.
- 2008 Beijing Olympics QF – Novak Djokovic beat Gael Monfils
- 2008 Beijing Olympics 3R – Novak Djokovic beat Mikhail Youzhny
- 2008 Beijing Olympics 2R – Novak Djokovic beat Rainer Schuttler
- 2008 Beijing Olympics 1R – Novak Djokovic beat Robert Ginepri
There he came face to face with his greatest rival, Rafael Nadal, who won the first set of the semi-final, 6-4.
After dominating the second set 6-1, to tie things up at 1-1, it looked as though Djokovic would advance to the final, but it wasn’t to be as Nadal won 6-4, 1-6, 6-4.
Bouncing back from the devastation of his semi-final defeat, Djokovic beat James Blake 6-3, 7-6, to win Bronze.
2012 Olympics – Novak Djokovic finished 4th
Returning to the Olympic stage with Gold Medal ambitions in 2012, Djokovic made his way through to the last four once more.
- 2012 London Olympics QF – Novak Djokovic beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
- 2012 London Olympics 3R – Novak Djokovic beat Lleyton Hewitt
- 2012 London Olympics 2R – Novak Djokovic beat Andy Roddick
- 2012 London Olympics 1R – Novak Djokovic beat Fabio Fognini
Again, he fell at the semi-final stage, losing out to home favorite Andy Murray in straight sets, 5-7, 5-7.
A defeat to Juan Martin del Potro in the Bronze medal match compounded his misery as he left London without a medal.
2016 Olympics – Novak Djokovic lost in 1R
The 2016 Olympic Games were a nightmare for Djokovic as he lost his opening match to Argentina’s Del Potro.
Not helped by a tricky draw, Djokovic fell to a 6-7, 6-7, defeat, suffering his worst-ever Olympic result.
2020 Olympics – Novak Djokovic finished 4th
Bouncing back from his horror show at the 2016 Olympics, Djokovic returned to winning ways in Tokyo, securing his spot in the semi-finals without dropping a set.
- 2020 Tokyo Olympics QF – Novak Djokovic beat Kei Nishikori
- 2020 Tokyo Olympics 3R – Novak Djokovic beat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
- 2020 Tokyo Olympics 2R – Novak Djokovic beat Jan-Lennard Struff
- 2020 Tokyo Olympics 1R – Novak Djokovic beat Hugo Dellien
Germany’s Alexander Zverev stood between Djokovic and a place in the final, as the pair battled it out in an empty arena.
It looked like Djokovic would finally reach the Gold Medal match when he won the first set 6-1, before Zverev fought back to win in three sets, 1-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Understandably devastated with the defeat, Djokovic couldn’t re-group ahead of the Bronze medal match, losing out to Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta.
2024 Olympic – Novak Djokovic won Gold
Finally reaching the Olympic summit, things went perfectly for Djokovic in Paris last year, winning Gold for the first time.
- 2024 Paris Olympics F – Novak Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz
- 2024 Paris Olympics SF – Novak Djokovic beat Lorenzo Musetti
- 2024 Paris Olympics QF – Novak Djokovic beat Stefanos Tsitsipas
- 2024 Paris Olympics 3R – Novak Djokovic beat Dominik Koepfer
- 2024 Paris Olympics 2R – Novak Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal
- 2024 Paris Olympics 1R – Novak Djokovic beat Matthew Ebden
Only time will tell if we will see Djokovic add another Olympic Gold to his collection in 2028, but it’ll certainly be something to look out for.