Novak Djokovic has shared his wish to play a tennis tournament in South America before he ends his career. The world No 1 has competed all over the world during his career and left no stone unturned but explained why he wanted to get a chance to “experience” a match in the continent – something Rafael Nadal has already done.
Djokovic recently won a historic 24th Grand Slam title at the US Open and shut down any suggestions that the end of his career could be near despite now being 36 years old. “I don’t want to leave this sport if I’m still at the top, you know, if I’m still playing the way I’m playing,” the Serb said after lifting the trophy.
While it seems the tennis world will get to have the world No 1 around for a few more years, Djokovic has now opened up on the one place he’d like to play when he eventually finds himself in the midst of his farewell season on the tour. “Tournaments in South America,” he told Sportal.
“I was just talking to Charlie [hitting partner Carlos Gomes] and I hope we can do it. It’s a wish, of course, now the Grand Slams are my priority and maybe the opportunity will come when I play those tournaments.”
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Explaining why he picked South America, the 96-time title winner continued: “Why them? Somehow the passion of people in South America for sports, and therefore for tennis, is something that is unique and I want to experience that week after week playing in those competitions.”
Keeping things light, Djokovic concluded: “Well, we’ll see. Maybe in some distant future, since I have time, I’m young.” Some of the Serb’s rivals have staged exhibitions in the continent so they could bring tennis to the fans and experience South America as Djokovic wants to.
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At the end of last year, Nadal embarked on an exhibition tour with Casper Ruud. Some of their stops included Belo Horizonte, Buenos Aires and Quito. Roger Federer did the same with Alexander Zverev in 2019, also visiting the likes of Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador.
While Djokovic is hoping to play in South America before he retires, the world No 1 is currently focused on his schedule for the remainder of the 2023 season. After skipping the Asian swing, Djokovic will be back in action at the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals before heading to the Davis Cup to help Serbia lift the trophy.
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