By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_now | Friday, April 25, 2025
Photo Credit: Mutua Madrid Open Facebook
Walking outside the court of practice in Madrid, Novak Djokovic Flip a souvenir ball for a new fan.
Throughout his long career, Gjokovic is constantly related to fans, young and old.
The 37-year-old Serbian superstar continues his efforts for a 100th Madrid career championship this week and took some time to reflect on the sport.
King of Grand Slam Djokovic said that engaging with the younger generation and represented his Big 4 Generation icon inspires him to continue playing 19 years after he defeated Richard Gasquet in his debut in Madrid.
Knowing we are seeing a generating change in the sport, Gjokovic said he represents the “older generation” against today’s young talent is the motivational fuel.
“The last 20 years have been predominant mainly by all four, and, you know, undoubtedly when all three of my biggest retirement rivals, you know, you can feel there is a change, not only in the generations of players who are now, all of a sudden, the main focus and attention is on them,” Djokovic told the media in Madrid. “But it’s right, you know, I think it takes some time for people to accept the fact that Roger and Rafa are not playing, and Murray, and I think one day myself, but I’m still trying to stay there and represent the older boys, the older generation.
“Hopefully this has the positive effect on the tournaments and the tour itself.”
While some predicted that the popularity of the tournament would inevitably fall with the retirement of his Big 4 Champions Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and his coach Andy Murray, Djokovic tells the fact that attendance has actually grown in Grand Slams and some master’s 1000 events after a sign that fans are engaged.
In fact, Gjokovic’s inspired victory over 21-year-old Spanish superstar Carlos Alcaraz In the match of the Olympiad’s gold medal in Paris last summer-his 99th and latest title-strengthens that fact.
“This is also one of the reasons why I continue to play is because I feel like helping the tennis bloom in the attention and crowd that comes inside and watching the tour and get interested,” Gjokovic said. “If you see the really participating numbers in the Grand Slams as well as some, like Indian Wells, is a record crowd in recent years.
“What is the good news that it should not depend on the big stars or the legends of the game that came out in retirement. It must be, it must, sports must transcend everyone, sport will overcome everyone, and sport is more important than anyone individually. So we are all in the service of a sport too.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8-ql8Gffy4
To this end, the man who kept world ranking number 1 longer than any other ATP champion says the growth of the game remains a primary mission.
“I think this is something to keep in mind that, you know, when you play and all the things you are doing outside the court as a senior player, you are trying to contribute to the popularity of tennis,” Gjokovic said. “To bring more people, bring children and little people to the tennis and get interested and get excited about tennis.
“Which I see happening, but, you know. I think we still have a big step to do in this regard. Yes, that’s very good.”
