Novak Djokovic announcement shocks tennis world after historic US Open triumph

Novak Djokovic's coach has made the staggering revelation that the 36-year-old is planning to play on until at least the Olympics in 2028. Djokovic became the oldest man in the professional era to win the US Open on Sunday, beating Daniil Medvedev 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 in the final.

In doing so, the Serbian star captured his 24th career grand slam title - taking him equal with Margaret Court's all-time record. He also extended his lead over Rafa Nadal in the men's grand slam race to two.

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But according to coach Goran Ivanisevic, the 36-year-old Djokovic has no plans to call it quits just yet. Speaking to reporters after the US Open final on Sunday, Ivanisevic made the shock announcement that Djokovic is targeting the Los Angeles Olympics in five years' time.

That would make Djokovic 41 by the time 2028 tolls around. "Novak is planning to play the Olympics in 2028 in LA," Ivanisevic revealed. "I don’t think he will say enough if he wins 25th (grand slam). He is taking care of every single detail, he is never happy on the court, has a huge drive."

On Sunday, Djokovic replaced Australian great Ken Rosewall as the oldest man to win the US Open title in the 55 years of the Open era. Rosewall was 35 when he won the US Open in 1970.

Novak Djokovic not eyeing retirement just yet

And If Ivanisevic is correct, Djokovic will surely break all manner of age records in the next five years. The 36-year-old moved to play down Ivanisevic's comments in his post-match press conference, saying he wasn't sure how many more years his legs have in them. Speaking before the final, he also revealed he probably won't play all four grand slams every year for the rest of his career.

"I'm going keep going. I feel good with my body and I still have the support of my people," Djokovic said. "You need to reinvent yourself because everybody does. That's the only way I can compete with 20-year-olds. Most of the things that work in a year probably won't work in the next year".

Sunday's clash with Medvedev was a rematch of the 2021 decider at Flushing Meadows, which Medvedev won in straight sets to deny Djokovic the first calendar-year Grand Slam since 1969. Djokovic won three of the four grand slams on offer in 2023, having also won the Australian Open and French Open titles. He lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final.

"I don't know where to start - it obviously means the world to me," he said in his victory speech. "I'm really living my childhood dream to compete at the highest level in a sport that has given me and my family so much.

"I never imagined I would be standing here talking about 24 slams. But the last couple of years I felt I had a chance, a shot at history, so why not grab it?

"To compete at the highest level in this sport that has given me and my family so much, coming from very difficult circumstances and adversities in the '90s, a couple of wars in our country, and being able to push through that.

"Especially my parents, giving a lot of sacrifices to support me to play. I love you, so thank you so much. To support me to play this sport; it is a very expensive sport. At that time (it was) very expensive, not accessible, not affordable, but I fell in love with it, this tennis.

"No one has played tennis in my family before so it was quite a choice, I must say. So everyone in my family - my wife, my children, my team, this is as much your trophy as mine."

Medvedev, who knocked out reigning champion Alcaraz en route to the final, has now lost four grand slam title deciders - two each to Djokovic and Nadal. The Russian star lost to Nadal in the US Open final in 2019, and in the Australian Open final last year. He was beaten by Djokovic in the Australian Open final in 2021, and again on Sunday in New York.

with agencies

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