By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, April 25, 2025
Photograph credit score: Mutua Madrid Open Fb
Strolling off the observe 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All through his lengthy profession, Djokovic continously connects with followers, each younger and outdated.
The 37-year-old Serbian celebrity continues his quest for a a hundredth profession championship in Madrid this week and took a while to mirror on the state of the game.
Grand Slam king Djokovic stated participating with the brand new era and representing his icon Massive 4 era conjures up 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 stated representing the “older era” in opposition to at this time’s younger abilities is motivational gasoline.
“The final 20 years was dominated principally by the 4 of us, and, , clearly when the three of my greatest rivals retired, , you possibly can really feel there is a shift, not solely by way of the generations of gamers which might be sort of now, rapidly, the primary focus and a spotlight is on them,” Djokovic instructed the media in Madrid. “Nevertheless it’s simply, , I suppose it takes a little bit little bit of time for individuals to simply accept the truth that Roger and Rafa will not be enjoying, and Murray, and I suppose sooner or later myself, however I am nonetheless attempting to remain there and symbolize the older guys, the older era.
“Hopefully that brings the optimistic impact to the tournaments and to the tour itself.”
Whereas some predicted the Tour’s reputation 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 very fact attendance has truly elevated at Grand Slams and several other Masters 1000 occasions as an indication followers are engaged and excited by the generational clashes.
Actually, Djokovic’s impressed win over 21-year-old Spanish celebrity Carlos Alcaraz within the Paris Olympics gold-medal match final summer season—his 99th and most up-to-date title—reinforces that truth.
“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 stated. “In case you see the numbers truly of the attendance within the Grand Slams as effectively 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 large 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 necessary than anyone individually. So we’re all right here within the service of a sport as effectively.”
To that finish, the person who held the world No. 1 rating longer than every other ATP champion says rising the sport stays a main mission.
“I believe that is one thing to needless to say, , if you play and all of the issues that you simply’re doing exterior of the court docket as a high participant, you are attempting to contribute to the recognition of the tennis,” Djokovic stated. “To carry extra individuals, carry younger youngsters and folks to tennis, and get and enthusiastic about tennis.
“Which I see taking place, however, , I believe we nonetheless have a giant steps to make in that regard. Yeah, that is just about it.”
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