Novak Djokovic reflects on retirement after Rafael Nadal’s ceremony at the French Open

Novak Djokovic joined Roger Federer and Andy Murray in Rafael Nadal’s emotional farewell ceremony at the French Open. While the Serbian is the only member of the ‘Big Four’ to remain active, the 24-time Grand Slam champion said that the event made him think about his own retirement.

“Honestly, I was thinking about my end of the road as well yesterday when we were watching Rafa having his speech,” Djokovic said, explaining that a part of him is “proud” that he is still playing, but another is “still sad that they’re gone.”

“Those guys were my greatest motivations for why I competed so intensely and for so long. I do think that Rafa deserved what he got yesterday in full intensity of its glory. Of course, each one of us dreams of being remembered in such a way and celebrated,” the 24-time major champion continued.

“I do wish one day I can get that kind of goodbye from the world of tennis,” he added. “I didn’t think about the exact date, or a moment, if that’s what you’re looking for. It was more just in general about how beautiful that moment is.”

Djokovic also revealed what Federer and Murray told Nadal. “It was a really heartwarming moment. Even though we were the fiercest rivals. It’s that personal touch that’s out there when you spill your heart out on the court as he did yesterday. It’s almost impossible for it not to touch you deeply. That’s what we basically told him when we were on court. Kudos and credit to Roland Garros for doing such an amazing job celebrating Rafa,” he concluded.

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Djokovic is aiming to break his own record

After a difficult start of the season, in which he had some early losses after having to retire from the Australian Open semifinal due to injury, Djokovic finally added his 100th title in Geneva last week.

With that win, the Serbian comes to Paris with renewed hopes of making a deep run and potentially adding another major to his collection. He is set to play against Mackenzie McDonald in the first round.

Djokovic is already the player with the most majors won in the Open Era, but he could have the solitary record in all tennis history, as he would leave behind Margaret Court’s record (as she won 24 titles between the amateur and professional eras).