Novak Djokovic Fuels Retirement Talk With Olympic Dream

The tennis legend eyes one more shot at Olympic gold in 2028.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Fresh off another deep run at the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic was spotted enjoying time at the 2026 Winter Olympics with his family. The former world No. 1 has now hinted that he wants to compete at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, even though he would be 41 years old at the time. Djokovic has made a career out of defying the odds, and if anyone could maintain the physical and mental standards required at that age, it would be him.

Why it matters

Djokovic's potential participation in the 2028 Olympics would be a remarkable feat, as he would be one of the oldest tennis players to compete at that level. His drive to compete on the biggest stage once more speaks to his unparalleled competitive spirit and desire to cement his legacy as one of the all-time greats of the sport.

The details

Djokovic was spotted enjoying time at the 2026 Winter Olympics alongside his family, hinting that his next tournament on the tour could be the ATP 500 in Doha. When asked about the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Djokovic smiled and replied, "The next Summer Olympics? It's a long way off, but I want to get there. Remember, you're always young!" Despite his advanced age, Djokovic has continued to compete at an elite level, recently defeating two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semifinals in a five-set classic.

  • Djokovic was spotted at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
  • The 2028 Summer Olympics are scheduled to take place in Los Angeles.

The players

Novak Djokovic

A 24-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1 tennis player who has hinted at competing in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, even though he would be 41 years old at the time.

Carlos Alcaraz

A Spanish tennis player who lost to Djokovic in a tightly contested final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, marking Alcaraz's lone loss on Parisian clay in his last 20 matches there.

Jannik Sinner

An Italian tennis player who was defeated by Djokovic in the semifinals of the recent Australian Open, snapping a five-match losing streak against the Serbian.

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What they’re saying

“The next Summer Olympics? It's a long way off, but I want to get there. Remember, you're always young!”

— Novak Djokovic

What’s next

Djokovic's potential participation in the 2028 Olympics will be a major storyline to follow in the coming years, as he aims to defy the odds and compete at the highest level well into his 40s.

The takeaway

Novak Djokovic's drive to compete at the 2028 Olympics, even at the age of 41, is a testament to his unparalleled competitive spirit and desire to cement his legacy as one of the all-time greats of tennis. If anyone can maintain the physical and mental standards required to compete at that level, it would be Djokovic.