Martina Navratilova, former WTA tennis legend, focused on the moment that Novak Djokovic is facing. The Serbian champion comes from a season in which he did not win a single title and in which he did not play his best tennis, both physically and technically. A season sweetened by the moving victory in the final for the gold medal at the Paris Olympics against Carlitos Alcaraz. And partly also for the unexpected Wimbledon final lost against the young Spaniard, but which came a month after surgery to the meniscus of his right knee.
However, according to Navratilova, the time has come for Noel to retire.
“He got what he really wanted, which was the Olympic gold medal, but he still wants the 25th Grand Slam to get one more than Margaret Court. Time will catch up with him, or maybe it has already, because in the last match he was not himself,” she said, referring to her US Open third-round loss.
“It all depends on how much the fire is still burning. If it is still burning, I will never say: you should not play, because it will never tarnish his legacy, he is incredibly good. I am sure his wife says: Is it time to retire, how many more do you need?” she added.
Regarding a possible retirement for the Serbian champion, Martina said: “Maybe just one more, but on the other hand, if he wins the Australian Open, he will want to play Roland Garros and Wimbledon, right? He will not stop like that. It is up to him. In any case, you cannot criticize him because it is a fantastic career.**, but if he enjoys playing then why not?” she analyzed.
Nole had not accustomed his fans to such difficult moments. The incessant advance of age, perhaps the loss of motivation, a few too many physical ailments, have led the Serbian champion to live one of the worst seasons of his career, from a physical point of view. The only highlight experienced by the former number one this season was that Olympic gold that he sought so much throughout his career, but that he had not managed to achieve. Paradoxically, he did it in a season that, at least so far, has not yet seen him win an ATP title.
