Novak Djokovic’s successful Olympic campaign in Paris might inspire the 37-year-old tennis star to continue his career and aim for the Los Angeles Games in 2028, according to his former coach Goran Ivanisevic.
Djokovic secured the gold medal by defeating Carlos Alcaraz 7-6(3) 7-6(2) on Sunday, becoming the fifth player to achieve a career Golden Slam, which includes winning all four Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold.
This victory at Roland Garros ended Djokovic’s title drought in what had been an otherwise challenging season, marked by a Wimbledon final loss to Alcaraz and knee surgery after the French Open.
“Novak didn’t show up in the Wimbledon final, but here you could tell… If they stayed for five more hours on that court, the outcome would have been the same,” Ivanisevic told the Tennis Majors website. “Novak was flying, he was dancing. People forgot this was his first Olympics final; he felt this is it, he has to seize this opportunity.”
Ivanisevic, who coached Djokovic to nine of his 24 Grand Slam titles before leaving the team in March, believes Djokovic is now the favorite for the U.S. Open, starting on August 26. Djokovic aims to win his fifth Flushing Meadows title, which would surpass Margaret Court’s record with a 25th major.
“I’m so glad that he finally won this gold. I wish him a 25th Slam, to break the absolute record, and then he can retire, although he’ll never retire, this guy,” Ivanisevic said. “I think he can find the motivation, the gold will lift him. If he plays like this, he’s the man to beat at the U.S. Open.”
Ivanisevic humorously added that given Djokovic’s relentless drive, it wouldn’t surprise him to see Djokovic competing in Los Angeles as well.
