Djokovic reveals defining moment of his career and it’s not a Slam

Novak Djokovic recently co-hosted the 2026 Laureus Sports Awards in Madrid, joining Eileen Gu for the event.

Before the ceremony, Djokovic spoke to reporters at Cibeles Palace, where he reflected on his career and picked his gold medal match against Carlos Alcaraz as his standout moment.

Djokovic has spoken before about his challenges at previous Olympics. That’s why the victory meant so much to him – not just because of who he beat, but because of what it represented. He had lost to Alcaraz a year earlier in Wimbledon’s Centre Court.

Speaking about that memory, Djokovic said: “You just reminded me of the photo that you showed to me after the finals and I won the gold medal, where I was very emotional and sensitive, and you showed me a photo of me making my first steps on the tennis court.”

“So that’s what the win at the Olympic Games meant to me.

“I would definitely put it up there, probably the highlight of my career.”

Novak Djokovic explains his motivation to play the 2028 Olympics

On multiple occasions, Novak Djokovic has expressed his intention to participate in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

If he follows through, it would be an incredible feat; Djokovic would be 40 years old at the time of the event.

Speaking with reporters at the Laureus Sports Awards, Djokovic outlined what motivates him to keep playing and aim for another Olympic appearance.

He said: “Six Olympic Games is better than five Olympic Games [laughing].

“Of course, I’ve said it many times – the Olympic Games, representing your country, wearing the colours of your flag and of your nation on your shirt, on your back.

“Probably something that no other event can really give you that kind of sensation and opportunity and to be sharing that Olympic experience with 10,000 other athletes— best athletes from the world.

“So I hope to get to experience it another time. I really am working on it. Two years seems a very long way for me now at this stage, but I’m working on it.”