‘I hope I can play my best tennis at the Olympics’
MADRID: Novak Djokovic had an incredible 2023 winning three Grand Slams, leaving his younger rivals much to ponder. There’s no slowing down for the Serbian at 36, not even after extending his Grand Slam singles victories to a record 24. His next big stop will be the Paris Olympics, a title that has eluded him four times.
“I hope I can play my best tennis at the Olympics. Who knows if I will get another chance to play at the Olympic Games. I recently said I really wanted to play at least until the LA Games in 2028 but at this stage you never know what can happen or how far I can go,” said Djokovic, who was awarded the Sportsman of the Year at the Laureus Sports Awards in Madrid.
He won bronze at his maiden Olympics in Beijing 2008 but could not lay his hands on the title in the next three Olympics. “If I didn’t think it (gold) was possible, I probably wouldn’t be playing. You have to believe that everything is possible in life.”
Going by his hot streak in 2023, Djokovic will be a favourite in Paris. He won at the Australian Open, Roland Garros and the US Open last year. At Wimbledon, Carlos Alcaraz beat him in fivesets. By the end of the year, he won a record seventh ATP Finals title and claimed the Year-end No. 1 ranking for a record eighth time.
On Monday, at the historic Palacio de Cibeles in the heart of the city, Djokovic won his fifth Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award. With old rival Rafael Nadal and new challenger Alcaraz in attendance, Djokovic reflected on an exciting long career as he received the trophy from Tom Brady, the seven-time Super Bowl champion.
“I am incredibly honoured to have won my fifth Laureus Sportsman of the Year Award. I think back in 2012, when I won it for the first time as a 24-year-old. I am proud to be here 12 years later.”
“It was thrilling to return to Australia last January and win my 10th title. It is a tournament that is so dear to my heart and set me up for an incredible 12 months. I could not have achieved so much success without an incredible team behind me, and inspirational rivals who have always pushed me to be the best version of myself.
“This award is so special because they represents recognition from the 69 world-class athletes who make up the Laureus World Sports Academy. I am truly blessed to be among sports greats as a winner, but also as a supporter and admirer of Laureus Sport for Good as I too believe in the power of sport to make a difference in the world.
There were other exceptional performers of the year who held the coveted trophy. Jude Bellingham’s impact at Real Madrid saw him win the ‘World Breakthrough of the Year Award. Simone Biles had a great comeback with four world championship medals last year and won the World Comeback of the Year Award.