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Despite Dropping Retirement Hints, Novak Djokovic Eyes 2028 Los Angeles Olympics Gold Medal

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Gouri Das | Last updated Jun 15, 2025 9:31 AM ET

This season, Novak Djokovic has produced his best performance when he played in Grand Slam events. After knocking out Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals, the Serb reached the Australian Open semifinal, but an injury forced him to retire mid-match against Alexander Zverev.

Then after two consecutive early tournament defeats, he lost the Miami Open final to Jakub Mensik, before losing two more matches on the trot. Djokovic then ended his trophy drought by beating Hubert Hurkacz in the Geneva Open.

In the recently concluded French Open then, he reached the semifinals and lost to eventual runner-up Jannik Sinner. At this stage of his career, Djokovic is prioritizing Grand Slam events and after losing there, he hinted at retirement, saying he was uncertain about playing in the next season.

Even though he hasn’t tasted success in the Majors since winning the 2023 US Open, Djokovic said he dreams of playing for a few more years. He is eyeing the gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The only thing that at this moment, professionally speaking, I have in my vision at this point, and it’s interesting when we talk about these achievements and the Olympics that stand out and redemption, the only thing that I have in my head which gives me motivation is the Olympics on the 2028 in Los Angeles. And playing for the national team and Grand Slams. But not even the Grand Slams, not as much as the Olympics.
Novak Djokovic told Slaven Bilic (via Neuspjeh Prvaka YouTube channel)

Djokovic lifted his career’s first gold medal at the Paris Olympics last year by beating Alcaraz. Before this, he won the bronze medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Novak Djokovic calls Roger Federer the most talented player

Novak Djokovic is the only active member of the legendary Big 3 yet to retire. Roger Federer bade his farewell at the 2022 Laver Cup and Rafael Nadal followed suit at the Davis Cup last year. During that interview on Neuspjeh Prvaka, Djokovic gave his verdict on who he thinks is the most talented between them.

When we compare me, Federer and Nadal, Federer is the most talented one. The most beautiful to watch when playing, he used his energy most efficiently. He moved lightly, so elegantly and so efficiently. Nadal is the opposite extreme. He dominated physically. I was somewhere in between, but I leaned more towards Nadal’s style of play.

The Big 3 have won a combined 66 Grand Slam titles. Djokovic held an edge against both Federer (27-23) and Nadal (31-29) in the head-to-head meetings.

What’s next for Novak Djokovic?

The grass swing is underway, and it seems Djokovic has not planned to play any tournaments before Wimbledon. He will not be playing in the Queen’s Club Championships or Halle Open.

Following these two ATP 500 events, two ATP 250 ones will be held and Djokovic’s name is not on the entry list. The 24-time Grand Slam champion didn’t participate in any grass-court event before Wimbledon last year as well.

He had reached the final in last year’s Wimbledon but lost the match to Alcaraz in straight sets. It was his second back-to-back final defeat to the five-time Major champion in the grass-court Major. Since winning the 2023 US Open, Djokovic has advanced to only one Grand Slam final, and it was last year’s Wimbledon.

Djokovic, apart from chasing his 25th Grand Slam title, will also be bidding to tie the title tally (eight) with Federer at Wimbledon. The last time he won the title there was in 2022 beating Nick Kyrgios in the final. In 2023, Alcaraz denied him the Calendar Grand Slam by beating him in five sets in the Wimbledon final.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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