Richard Pagliaro | @tennis_now | Friday, April 25, 2025
Image source: Mutua Madrid Open Facebook
Walk out of the driving range in Madrid, Novak Djokovic A commemorative ball was turned toward the young fans.
Throughout his long career, Djokovic has been constantly in touch with older fans.
The 37-year-old Serbian superstar continued to pursue his 100th professional championship in Madrid this week and spent some time reflecting on the situation of the sport.
Grand Slam King Djokovic said that with the new generation representing his iconic 4 generations, inspired him to continue his 19-year career after Richard Gasquet, who debuted in Madrid.
Djokovic recognizes that the sport has passed down from generation to generation, representing the “older generation” of young people this year is the inspiring fuel.
“The last 20 years have been dominated by four of us, and, obviously, when my biggest competitor retires, you know, you feel a shift, not only in terms of the generations of players today, suddenly, the main focus and attention are focused on them,” Djokovic said in the Madrid media. “But, it’s just you know, I think it takes some time for people to accept the fact that Roger and Rafa didn’t play, and Murray, I think I’m one day, but I’m still trying to stay there, representing the older people, the older generation.
“Hopefully this will have a positive impact on the tournament and a positive impact on the tour itself.”
Although some predict that the tour will inevitably decline with the retirement of his four champions, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and his coach Andy Murray.
In fact, Djokovic inspired the victory of the 21-year-old Spanish superstar Carlos Alcaraz His 99th and recent champions gave this fact to the fact last summer in the gold medal match at the Paris Olympics.
“That’s one of the reasons I continue playing, because I feel it helps tennis still thrive in the attention and crowds, watch the game and become interested,” Djokovic said. “If you also see the number of people attending Grand Slams and some people, like the Indian Well, it’s a record crowd over the past few years.
“This is good news, it shouldn’t rely on big stars or legends of retired games. It should, should, should, this sport should surpass everyone, this sport will surpass everyone, and this sport is more important than anyone. So we’re all here to serve a sport.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8-ql8gffy4
To this end, the world’s No. 1 rankings are more than any other ATP champion say that this game is a major task.
“I think it’s to remember that when you play and everything you do off the court as a top player, you’re trying to contribute to the popularity of tennis,” Djokovic said. “Bring more people, bringing young children and people to tennis and getting interested and excited about tennis.
“What I’m seeing is happening, but, you know, I think we still have an important step in that. Yes, that’s it.”
