Novak Djokovic Hopes To Play The 2028 Olympics In Los Angeles

PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 4: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates his win over Carlos Alcaraz of Spain ... [+] during the Men's Singles Gold medal match on Court Philippe-Chatrier at Roland-Garros Stadium during the Paris 2024 Olympics Games on August 04, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by RvS.Media/Robert Hradil/Getty Images)

After winning his first gold medal at the Olympics on Sunday, Novak Djokovic says he wants to defend his title in Los Angeles in 2028.

The Serbian legend would be 41 years old then.

“It’s true, I would love to play in Los Angeles in 2028,” he told reporters following his 7-6(3), 7-6(2) win over Carlos Alcaraz in the gold-medal match.

He added: “I want to play in Los Angeles, I enjoy playing for my country in the Olympic Games, in the Davis Cup.”

In 2021, four-time Grand Slam champion Jim Courier said he could see Djokovic remaining “viable” into his 40s.

“Novak has a lot of ground to make up but he seems to be likely to have a longer career [than Nadal],” Courier said then. “He’s a year younger and he tends to be in pretty good health and as long as he can stay away from the operating table and stay focused, I think he can be viable until he’s 40 years old. “

That, of course, was before Djokovic underwent meniscus surgery this June following an injury at Roland Garros. But he defied odds by returning in time for Wimbledon, where he made the final.

And he followed that up by defeating Alcaraz — the French Open and Wimbledon champion — in a thrilling Olympic final.

Djokovic owns a men’s record 24 Grand Slam titles but had never won the gold medal before. He joined an elite group that includes Steffi Graff (1988), Andre Agassi (1999), Rafael Nadal (2010) and Serena Williams (2012).

"This is probably the biggest sporting success I have ever had and the most special feeling," said the 37-year-old Serb.

"I thought carrying the flag at the opening ceremony for my country at the 2012 Olympics was the best feeling an athlete could have until today.

"Now at the age of 37 and facing a 21-year-old who is probably the best player in the world right now, winning Roland Garros and Wimbledon back-to-back, I can say that this is probably the biggest sporting success I have ever had."

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