Like other recent all-time greats, Novak Djokovic won't retire on top

Not every athlete gets to bask in the type of storybook ending such as Michael Jordan’s clutch shot against the Utah Jazz (if we forget the Washington Wizards years), Ray Bourque leading the Colorado Avalanche to the Stanley Cup in 2001 or John Elway scoring a rushing touchdown in Denver Broncos' 34-19 win over the Atlanta Falcons at Super Bowl XXXII. 

Most all-time great athletes are forced to spend their final few years in purgatory, either plagued by injuries or playing on teams that no longer contend for titles. In the sport of tennis, the likes of Roger Federer and Serena Williams are perfect examples, with neither pantheon great ending their career on a high. While Federer won his last major in January 2018, nearly five years before calling it quits, Williams similarly went six years without a major before her retirement. 

Novak Djokovic is playing arguably the best tennis of his life at age 36, showing absolutely no signs of slowing down. As such, Djokovic could buck the recent trend of all-time great athletes going out on a high. However, the Serb has no interest in doing so, telling reporters after breezing to the Australian Open quarterfinal Sunday that he won’t retire until he’s done contending for majors.

“I feel while being No. 1 and still on top of my game, I don’t feel like leaving tennis while in that position," Djokovic said, via EuroSport. "I feel like I want to keep on going, and when I feel I’m not able to compete with the guys on the highest level and be a contender for a Grand Slam title then I’ll probably consider going into retirement.

“But that can change obviously, a lot of things can change, I’m not a teenager anymore. I’m a father and a husband and a lot of things are happening off-court that I enjoy and that require my attention, my presence and my energy so yeah, still you know, I’m really glad to be where I am and let’s see how far it goes.”

Djokovic is just three wins away from his 25th major, 11th Australian Open title and 99th overall career singles title. The Serb will face American Taylor Fritz in the quarterfinal on Tuesday.