Fans recall when Djokovic almost quit the sport in light of US Open success

Following his record-tying 24th Grand Slam title at the US Open last weekend, Novak Djokovic is glad he didn't retire when the thought crossed his mind back in 2018.

The Serbian defeated Daniil Medvedev on Sunday to add yet another Major title to his trophy cabinet, extending his lead with the most Grand Slams among male players. Unbeknownst to most however, is the fact that Djokovic told those close to him that he was quitting tennis in 2018.

Djokovic was dealing with a persistent elbow injury in early 2018, as the ailment simply refused to heal. Furthermore, he suffered shocking first-round defeats against Taro Daniel and Benoit Paire in back-to-back events in Indian Wells and Miami that season. This led the Serbian to inform his manager Edoardo Artaldi that the game was up and encouraged him to let his sponsors know that the Novak story in tennis was over.

In a story revealed by his wife Jelena in 2020, she spoke of how Djokovic opened up to her regarding his concerns.

“He said to me that he’s quitting," said Jelena Djokovic in an interview with In Depth with Graham Bensinger. "That’s the truth. He lost in Miami. It was a terrible loss and then he just gathered at all of us and said ‘guys I am done’ and I was like what? He said yeah.

“Then he said Eduardo you can speak with my sponsors. I want to be clear with them. I don’t know if I am stopping for six months, a year, or forever. Just tell them if they feel like staying around they can. If they don’t, I’m happy. I just want to make sure everybody is okay with this.

“I’m like ‘You can’t quit’ and we are crying and we’re like ‘this is not the time’.”

Fortunately, after taking some time off to spend with his family and reflect on his life and career, Djokovic rediscovered his love for the game. He would go on to win Wimbledon and the US Open in the second half of 2018.