Djokovic states his unwavering goal at age 39, reveals personal aspirations beyond tennis.

Novak Djokovic recently offered contemplative insights regarding his career and future aims, stating that his drive to play now extends beyond mere trophies or acclaim.

In an interview with Vanity Fair Italy, the 24-time Grand Slam champion explained that the current phase of his career is shaped by a balance between professional ambition and personal priorities.

Entering the clay season, Djokovic has played few matches in 2026, having participated in only two tournaments with a record of 7 wins and 2 losses. He reached the final of the Australian Open 2026 but lost to Carlos Alcaraz. Subsequently, the Serbian player was halted in the fourth round of Indian Wells by reigning champion Jack Draper.

Djokovic later withdrew from the Miami Open, a tournament where he had made the final in 2025, resulting in a deduction of 605 ranking points. Consequently, Djokovic dropped to world number 4 on the ATP rankings, overtaken by Alexander Zverev, creating notable disruption ahead of the European clay season.

The next tournament Djokovic plans to compete in is the Monte-Carlo Masters, where he will officially launch his clay-court campaign. In this context, his recent statements partly reveal how this player manages expectations, time, and long-term motivation during the final stage of his career.

Djokovic describes his relationship with time as quite complex, noting that his perception of it has significantly changed over the years. He says he always tries to accept the flow of time, but this experience varies depending on whether he views it from a career or personal life perspective.

The Serbian player shared that he attempts to control time "in the most mature way possible," while acknowledging that sometimes time feels to pass faster, especially compared to the early stages of his career. According to him, this change stems from age and a clearer awareness of life priorities.

Djokovic said: "It depends. I try to accept that sometimes time flies very quickly, but it also depends on which part of life we are talking about, professional or personal. Sometimes I struggle to accept it, but other times I wish it would pass faster to soon experience things I am anticipating. Overall, I try to manage it with the highest possible maturity."

He further expanded his view by stating that the perception of time is not just a personal experience, but something shared by many around him and the public. According to Djokovic, the pace of time seems increasingly "compressed" compared to 15-20 years ago, and this has directly influenced how he approaches both competition and life off the court.

"That's a good question. I think generally time passes quite quickly, and that's not just my own feeling. Many people also say that compared to 15 or 20 years ago, time seems to move faster. Perhaps when I was younger, I didn't pay as much attention to time as I do now," Djokovic added.

Despite having achieved countless career accomplishments, Djokovic emphasized that his ambition remains intact, particularly regarding Grand Slam tournaments. He acknowledged that his legacy is already shaped, but his immediate goal is still to continue winning and extend his playing career as long as possible.

However, Djokovic also affirmed that his motivation is no longer defined solely by titles. Instead, he aims for a broader picture, linked to long-term goals both on and off the court. Nevertheless, he clearly identified his competitive objective at the highest level: "For me, it's not just about results or recognition. Of course, I still want to win at least one more Grand Slam title, maintain good physical condition, and continue playing for many more years."

Additionally, Djokovic expressed his desire to remain involved in tennis's development, observing the changes in this sport from within. Alongside that is his family responsibility, especially in his role as a father.

"There are many other things I want to engage in, to observe the changes happening in tennis. I look forward to what the future will bring and hope to witness it as an active player. I have many plans and dreams, particularly as a father: I want to accompany my children's goals, because I often travel and am away from my family, away from my wife and children," Djokovic concluded.