Novak Djokovic candidly tells what needs to happen for him to consider retirement

Novak Djokovic has highlighted that retiring now is absolutely not an option and hinted he will probably consider retirement only if he starts regularly losing to younger players in Grand Slams. On Friday, Djokovic ousted rising American star Ben Shelton 6-3 6-2 7-6 (4) to reach the US Open final. With that win, 36-year-old Djokovic made at least the final in each of the four Grand Slam tournaments in 2023. “It probably sounds cocky or arrogant, but I’m not really surprised. I know how much work and dedication I put into trying to be in this position. I know I deserve this. I always believe in myself, in my own capabilities as a tennis player, to be able to deliver when it matters. I am not really surprised, to be honest. I feel good physically. I have been as good as I’ve been in years and years. Age is just a number. That phrase is really resonating with me at the moment. I don’t want to even consider leaving tennis or thinking about an end if I’m still at the top of the game. I will probably consider doing that if I get my a** kicked by young guys in Grand Slams in the years to come,” Djokovic said.

Novak Djokovic© Getty Images Sport – Clive Brunskill

Djokovic routinely beat Shelton

Shelton, 20, drew lots of positive attention to his name in the last two weeks and he is now widely considered among the brightest talents in men’s tennis. But Shelton didn’t really stand much of a chance against Djokovic. In the first set, Djokovic claimed the first break of the match in the sixth game before serving out for the opener in the ninth game. After winning the first set, Djokovic also broke Shelton twice in the second set to open a two-set lead. In the third set, Djokovic blew an early break but also saved a set point on his service in the 10th game. Djokovic broke Shelton again in the 11th game for a 6-5 lead but then missed out on a match point in the following game as the third set went into a tie-break. In the tie-break, Djokovic came up big as the Serb opened a comfortable 5-1 lead before converting his second match point.