As he begins his 23^rd season on the ATP tour, Djokovic has become more tuned in to the impending prospect of retirement, the 37-year-old suffering from a knee injury in the first half of last season.

On whether he has contemplated quitting the sport, he continued, “I do think about more how than when. When I’m not thinking about it as of yet so intensely. How—How I would like to end it?

“I feel if I start to lose more and feel like there is a bigger gap, that I start to have more challenges in overcoming those big obstacles in big Slams, then I’ll probably call it a day. But right now I’m still okay, keep continuing.”

Djokovic’s Olympic gold was his only major honour of 2024, which itself brings the Serb to 99 total singles career titles.

With new coach and former rival Andy Murray in his camp, he is targeting a 100^th title and a record 25^th Grand Slam at the Australian Open. However, Djokovic is aware that he must manage himself and be tactical in where he does and does not play.

He added, “In order for me to keep going, I have to reduce the amount of tournaments I play and just focus on a select few.” We start to plot out a theoretical schedule for 2025. “I don’t think I’ll play only four Slams and the Davis Cup. I think I’ll play at least a lead-up tournament or two before Slams. Particularly on clay.”