21-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has shut down the retirement rumors that have been placed on him and Rafael Nadal as he feels “the moment hasn’t come” for either him or the Spaniard. Djokovic, 35, and 36-year-old Nadal witnessed Roger Federer’s farewell in London.
With Federer retiring, Djokovic and Nadal remain the only active Big Three group members. Djokovic, who is still perfectly healthy and a dominant force in the game, has hinted this year that he will likely play for a few more seasons.
“I live in a very special moment of tennis history, maybe the greatest, and I feel incredibly honored to be in a situation to write the history of our sport. The moment hasn’t come, either for him or for me,” Djokovic said on the RMC podcast, per Sportskeeda.
Djokovic found a way to win a tricky Paris opener
On Tuesday, Djokovic kicked off his campaign at the Paris Masters. After a first-round bye, Djokovic defeated Maxime Cressy 7-6 (1) 6-4. Cressy wasn’t giving Djokovic too many chances on his serve but the Serb was able to get one break in the second set and to escape with a straight-set win.
After the match, Djokovic admitted that Cressy made him work and think hard. “It was very intense, just a lot of pressure. When you play someone that serves this well — first and second serve — you don’t have much room to relax and maybe play kind of a softer few games.
You just have to be on your toes all the time. Credit to him for serving big in some big moments. I had my chances [in the] first set to break him, second as well. A break came at the right time, perfect time actually. I was very pleased with the way I held my serve, didn’t face a break point,” Djokovic reflected.
