Like another G.O.A.T., Novak Djokovic hopes to keep performing at a championship level well into his 40s.
“Tom Brady is a great example of a champion in his sport that has had such a great career and longevity,” Djokovic said Wednesday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The 36-year-old Serbian was speaking to reporters ahead of an exhibition match against Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz.
“He has put a lot of hours and a lot of time into self-care, into recovery, into making sure that in a way every aspect of his body and mind is covered so that he can have a long-lasting, successful career,” Djokovic said of Brady.
“I know him personally and I learned a lot from him, from his example, and hopefully I can have a career that goes up to 40 or maybe even beyond — let’s see.”
Brady, who retired after the 2022 season at age 45, won a record seven Super Bowl championships in 23 NFL seasons. He was 43 when he guided the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the Lombardi Trophy in the 2020 season.
Djokovic, who is preparing for his 22nd season, is ranked No. 1 in the world and looking to add to his record 24 Grand Slam singles titles in 2024.
Brady was in Djokovic’s box at Roland Garros last June to see his friend win the French Open. Djokovic also won the 2023 Australian Open and U.S. Open and lost to Alcaraz in a five-set Wimbledon final.
“I feel great in my own body right now and I’ve been playing some really high-quality tennis,” Djokovic said. “2023 was one of the best seasons I’ve had in my life and why stop while you’re still playing great? So I’ll keep going and take (each) year, one by one, and see how far I go.”
Djokovic will tune up for next month’s Australian Open by representing Serbia at the United Cup in Australia from Dec. 29-Jan. 7.
–Field Level Media