By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, April 25, 2025
Picture credit score: Mutua Madrid Open Fb
Strolling off the follow court docket in Madrid, Novak Djokovic flipped a memento ball to a younger fan.
All through his lengthy profession, Djokovic continously connects with followers, each younger and previous.
The 37-year-old Serbian celebrity continues his quest for a one hundredth profession championship in Madrid this week and took a while to mirror on the state of the game.
Grand Slam king Djokovic mentioned partaking with the brand new technology and representing his icon Massive 4 technology evokes him to maintain enjoying 19 years after he defeated Richard Gasquet in his Madrid debut.
Recognizing we’re seeing a generational shift within the sport, Djokovic mentioned representing the “older technology” in opposition to right this moment’s younger skills is motivational gasoline.
“The final 20 years was dominated largely by the 4 of us, and, , clearly when the three of my greatest rivals retired, , you’ll be able to really feel there is a shift, not solely when it comes to the generations of gamers which can be sort of now, impulsively, the primary focus and a spotlight is on them,” Djokovic instructed the media in Madrid. “But it surely’s simply, , I assume it takes a little bit little bit of time for folks to just accept the truth that Roger and Rafa aren’t enjoying, and Murray, and I assume sooner or later myself, however I am nonetheless attempting to remain there and signify the older guys, the older technology.
“Hopefully that brings the optimistic impact to the tournaments and to the tour itself.”
Whereas some predicted the Tour’s recognition would inevitably decline with the retirements of his fellow Massive 4 champions Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and his coach, Andy Murray, Djokovic factors to the actual fact attendance has truly elevated at Grand Slams and a number of other Masters 1000 occasions as an indication followers are engaged and excited by the generational clashes.
In reality, Djokovic’s impressed win over 21-year-old Spanish celebrity Carlos Alcaraz within the Paris Olympics gold-medal match final summer time—his 99th and most up-to-date title—reinforces that reality.
“That is additionally one of many explanation why I carry on enjoying is as a result of I really feel prefer it additionally helps tennis nonetheless thrive on the eye and crowd coming in and watching tournaments and getting ,” Djokovic mentioned. “In case you see the numbers truly of the attendance within the Grand Slams as properly and a few, like Indian Wells, it is record-breaking crowd in the previous few years.
“Which is sweet information that it should not be depending on the massive stars or legends of the sport that retired. It must be, it ought to, the game ought to outlive everybody, the game will outlive everybody, and the game is extra essential than anyone individually. So we’re all right here within the service of a sport as properly.”
To that finish, the person who held the world No. 1 rating longer than another ATP champion says rising the sport stays a main mission.
“I feel that is one thing to remember the fact that, , whenever you play and all of the issues that you just’re doing outdoors of the court docket as a prime participant, you are attempting to contribute to the recognition of the tennis,” Djokovic mentioned. “To deliver extra folks, deliver younger kids and folks to tennis, and get and enthusiastic about tennis.
“Which I see occurring, however, , I feel we nonetheless have a giant steps to make in that regard. Yeah, that is just about it.”
