Former World No 1 Novak Djokovic does not consider tennis to be his sole area of focus anymore, with his family life complementing with his professional aspirations, ANI reported earlier on Tuesday.
“I have a son, a wife, a family, and I am extremely grateful for the blessing of being a father. Tennis was my No 1 priority when Stefan was not born. Now it’s completely opposite,” Djokovic stated, referring to the birth of his son Stefan in 2014, a few months after he won his second Wimbledon title.
The 12-time Grand Slam champion’s statements come ahead of starting the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, where he is a five-time former, and three-time defending, champion.
Despite a shift in his priorities, retirement is, however, definitely not on the cards for the Serbian, who is eager to go on competing professionally. “I continue to play tennis with the same passion and love that I had when I picked up the racquet for the first time in my hands. Tennis makes me strong and gives me great emotions and as long as I feel it, I’ll continue to play. I want to improve and have a long career. I don’t see myself ending my career anytime soon, although I’ll be 30-years-old [in May],” specified Djokovic.
But, having reiterated his continued commitment towards the sport, the Belgrade native also clarified that he was a point in his life where he wanted to balance his personal and professional lives. “I have a lot to accomplish, and a lot to prove to myself and others. But, consciously taking into account all the other things going in my life, I cannot separate myself professionally, as a tennis player,
