Novak Djokovic makes his retirement vow and announces a preview of the schedule | Tennis | sport

Novak Djokovic has admitted he is not sure what 2025 has in store for him but plans to return to China next year to play in at least one tournament.

Djokovic made it to the round of 16 of the Shanghai Masters by defeating Flavio Cobolli, en route to his potential 100th career title, and spoke openly about his future.

The 37-year-old’s future is uncertain after failing to win a Grand Slam in 2024, the first year since 2017 that he failed to win a major as Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner split the four between them.

He continued to play less tennis and instead prioritized the biggest events on the calendar, but again decided to take part in the Asian swing he remembers fondly and vowed to come back next year – thereby closing the door on the idea that he maybe would retire at the end of the season.

“Well, I always want to do very well in China and I think my results so far are proof of how I feel in China,” said the Serbian star. “I have always had enormous success, both in Beijing and Shanghai. This is definitely due to the incredible love, respect and support I receive from the Chinese people.”

“So my connection is very deep and five years has been a very long time for me not to come to China, so I will do my best to come back next year. “I don’t know what next year will bring in terms of my schedule,” and so on. I know I still want to keep playing.

“I need to see where I am in my life with my body and everything, but I still have plans to carry on like I have in previous years and prioritize the biggest events, but then I would still like to make my annual trip there China, at least for one tournament, because of the incredible energy and love I feel here.”

Against Cobolli, a self-confessed Djokovic superfan, Djokovic didn’t seem like someone on the verge of retirement. He dismantled the Italian 6-1, 6-2 in just over an hour, setting up a match with Roman Safiullin.

His goal is to become only the third man, after Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103), to reach a century of tournament victories.

And the 24-time Grand Slam winner is convinced that more time off between events will have a positive effect on his improvement in form.

“I’m fine,” he explained. “I think the advantage of not playing many tournaments is that you are fresh. So I don’t mind playing long games every day, whatever it takes.”

“I’ve recovered pretty well and a few days without playing helps the body too. Yes, maybe it’s not ideal, you don’t want to take too long breaks when you’re already in the tournament because of the game and the feeling you have with the racket in your hand.

“Yeah, I’m happy with the way I bounced back after that hard-fought win in the first round, I mean second round, first game. So I’m looking forward to tomorrow, I feel good about my game and about myself.”