PARIS – Novak Djokovic lets out a laugh and says, “I’m going to be still playing in Brisbane 2032!”
Why is the Serb joking that at 45 he will still be active in professional tennis? His reaction stems from a question by CLAY.
France gave Rafael Nadal the biggest tribute possible at the opening ceremony of its Paris Olympics. The owner of 14 Roland Garros titles got the Olympic torch from the hand of Zinedine Zidane, and was the one who carried it across the Seine River, accompanied by three other Olympic legends: Serena Williams, Carl Lewis and Nadia Comaneci.
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Would Australia do the same with Djokovic? In Melbourne, the Serb won ten of his 24 Grand Slam trophies. And he still has some fuel left on the tank to be even more successful on Australian soil.
“I don’t know, I didn’t expect that question. I really don’t know, I’m going to keep playing!” he said after his 6-0, 6-1 win in the first round of the Olympic tournament being played at Roland Garros.
After seeing his biggest rival being recognized at the ceremony, Djokovic felt proud.
“As a tennis player I was very proud that a tennis player gets that kind of recognition. Him, Serena (Williams), Amelie Mauresmo… it’s amazing for tennis players to be recognized and respected like that,” he confessed.
@djokernole Hello Paris, hello @Olympics, hello @TikTok. #tennis #paris #olympics ♬ original sound – Novak Djokovic
“I can only imagine how good Rafa felt and the emotions he went through. It’s one of the most special experiences any athlete can have,” said the former world number one, who is chasing in Paris 2024 the only major title he is missing.
He also highlighted the honor of being flag bearer. Djokovic carried the Serbian flag at the London 2012 Olympic Games. This year, four tennis players received the award: Coco Gauff (USA), Nicolas Jarry (Chile), Elina Svitolina (Ukraine) and Danka Kovinic (Montenegro).
