Novak Djokovic dismissed retirement talks after his US Open semifinal defeat, insisting he plans to play a full Grand Slam season next year.
The 38-year-old Serbian fell to Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 7-6(4), 6-2 in a two-hour, 25-minute contest on Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Spaniard, 22, avenged recent defeats at the Australian Open and Paris Olympics to book his seventh major final — and keep alive his bid for a sixth Grand Slam title and a return to world No. 1.
“I still want to play Grand Slams and a full Grand Slam season next year,” Djokovic said. “Slams are Slams. They are the pillars of our sport, the most important tournaments we have.”
The 100-time tour-level champion admitted his body could no longer sustain the same level of intensity across long matches, despite being satisfied with his shot-making.
“I did my best to get in shape for this level, but it wasn’t enough,” he said. “That’s something, at this stage of my career, I can’t fully control. It comes with time and age.”
Still, Novak Djokovic said he continues to enjoy the thrill of competing, drawing energy from the support of crowds worldwide.
“I still love this sport. The love I’ve been receiving has been incredible these past few years,” he added. “That’s one of the biggest reasons I keep going.”
