Novak Djokovic admits retirement plan after dad lets slip tennis icon’s future move

Novak Djokovic has given an indication of what his future will look like once he decides to call time on his illustrious tennis career, after his father revealed one of his son's long-term intentions

Novak Djokovic has revealed he intends to extend his tennis love affair in retirement – after his father leaked one of his son’s main long-term plans.

The Serbian great is still going strong at the age of 37 and finally adding Olympic gold to his immense CV in Paris in the summer. Djokovic could even have another four years left in him after saying he could play at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

Naturally, the 24-time Grand Slam winner has given thought to life after top-level tennis, which includes giving something back to the sport. Speaking ahead of his second round match at the Shanghai Masters today (Saturday), Djokovic said fondly: "My love for tennis will never fade away.

"I have a lot of emotions when I'm playing, and not particularly only in the tournament, but also practice sessions. Sometimes it's not always going your way, but I think my relationship with tennis goes much deeper than a tournament or a year or success or failure.”

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He went on: "It's just a sport that I fell in love with when I was very young and I still have the love for the sport. Even when I retire from professional tennis, I feel like I'm going to stay in tennis, stay involved in different roles because I feel like I owe this sport a lot for what it has been giving to me."

Dad Srdjan recently shed light on his son’s post-retirement intensions. With properties around the world, Novak and his family could live anywhere. However, Srdjan has revealed where his son plans to settle, saying: "When Novak finishes his tennis career, he will live in his city Belgrade, his country Serbia.

"I think there is no greater satisfaction, pride and success than your child spreading the glory of his people and his country all over the world."

Novak bought a three-bedroom penthouse in New Belgrade, overlooking Lake Pavlova, for a £505k in 2018. His property portfolio also includes an apartment in New York's SoHo district, which he paid a reputed £7.5million for in 2017. He has also purchased homes in Monte Carlo and Marbella over the years.