Novak Djokovic is still playing and still winning yet the Serbian sees his future in tennis even after his playing days are over.
Novak Djokovic set a new tennis record yesterday by winning the ATP 1000 Masters event in Paris. The Paris Masters trophy is the 37th of his career which is a new record in tennis as the 2nd place on that list belongs to Rafael Nadal. The love Djokovic feels for tennis runs deep and he admitted to it during an interview with Serbian media after the Paris final.
Asked about coaching Medvedev in the future Djokovic jokingly replied:
“If I were to be his coach, there would not be much work to do. Just kidding. He is one of the best players in the world
at the moment. If he stays healthy, I expect him to be at the top for
years to come and to win more slams. There is no doubt about that.”
After that Djokovic responded to the questions seriously admitting that he does see himself as coach in the future:
“Yes, I see myself as a coach in the future. I truly love this sport. I do not love it only when I am winning; no, I love it when I am with my kids on the court, when I watch it live or on TV, and when I am trying to pass on my experience and knowledge to the upcoming players at Novak Tennis Centre, to which I am very committed.”
He further elaborated:
“Knowledge can be a curse if you do not use it, what is the point then? I mean, sure, I benefit from it, but what am I going to do with it afterwards – to take it with me to the grave, to say ’yes, I was the best’? No, I want others to have information about my career, my philosophy, approach, methodology of work etc."
He finished it off with:
It is never too late, but it is never too early too. For me, it is logical in life, to pass on everything I have learned and accomplished. I see myself in different roles in the future and I would be glad to develop myself as a coach as well“.