Having since achieved that feat, many question what is left for him to accomplish within the sport.

Novak Djokovic has now offered his thoughts.

Novak Djokovic confirms his retirement plans

Speaking to La Nacion, the Serbian superstar was once again asked about his retirement.

However, this time, he was far more concrete in his answer, even apologising to fans who have lobbied for his exit from the sport.

He claimed: ‘The question is legitimate. Inside me, I feel like I still have more Grand Slams to win. What still pushes me to compete, especially in the Grand Slams, is the feeling that I can be a candidate to win it.

‘And also for my country. I love playing the Davis Cup for Serbia.

‘When I have to motivate myself, there are two issues: one is to continue believing that I have the ability to continue in the fight for the majors and win them. And second: tennis is still my biggest platform to do other things that interest me and share the messages that interest me, whether they are related to tennis, society, some entrepreneurship that I have, something that seriously builds my legacy, my brand.

‘I still feel that I enjoy the process and it generates all these benefits, so why not do it?

‘Some think I have to retire from tennis being at the top: “You won the gold, you won everything, I said goodbye.”

‘Some think I should continue as long as I keep thinking that I can be the favorite for a Grand Slam. I think more like those. Maybe I’ll change my mind, I don’t know. For now I feel like I want to continue.

‘How much longer? Travelling and finding motivation costs me more and more. It’s not easy. And even less with children. I don’t want to be away from home for so long, but I still have the momentum. So I’m sorry for those who want me to retire, because they’ll still have to see me a little longer.’

It feels like these claims have intensified since Rafael Nadal revealed his retirement plans earlier this month.

Djokovic send a touching tribute to Nadal after their Six Kings Slam match last week.

Novak Djokovic is far too good to retire anytime soon

Realistically, age means very little when you are as good at tennis as Djokovic is.

Just because he is closing in on 38 should not matter, especially given that just last year he won three of the four Grand Slam titles and lost in the final at Wimbledon.

And, even this year has been a campaign to remember, with Andy Roddick praising Djokovic’s 2024.

The American claimed: ‘He was like this was my worst performing year for some time, it was bound to happen at some point, I’m still happy with my gold medal by the way. But let’s think about this just for a second.

‘His worst performing year ever he made the semi-finals of Australia, the finals of Wimbledon, won Olympic gold, finals of Masters 1000. That’s a career year for most of us. I thought it was completely rational. It is coming at some time. He’s not 30 any more and there’s two monsters ahead of him. It was a crazy impressive week.’

It’s ironic that, due to the impossibly high standards he has set, retirement seems the only natural option following his recent mini-decline.

At his worst, Djokovic remains better than 90% of the players on tour. There’s no reason for him to call time on his career just yet.

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