
Novak Djokovic says he’s taking inspiration from NFL great Tom Brady and wants to continue playing well into his 40s or even beyond. The 36-year-old tennis star is currently in Saudi Arabia to play an exhibition match against Carlos Alcaraz ahead of the 2024 season. Djokovic expressed that he’s not ready to step aside for a new wave of stars yet, drawing motivation from Tom Brady, who retired at 44 after playing for 23 seasons.
Djokovic also praised Brady as “a great example of a champion in his sport” and mentioned that he has learned from Brady’s example of dedication to self-care and recovery. He hopes to have a career that lasts just as long and is looking forward to playing high-quality tennis this season.
Meanwhile, tennis ace Tim Henman believes that Italian Jannik Sinner is closing in on Carlos Alcaraz and is well poised to make a significant push in 2024. According to Henman, Sinner’s performance towards the end of 2023 has helped him narrow the gap between Alcaraz and himself. Both players have trained together in preparation for the upcoming season.
In another corner of the tennis world, Naomi Osaka is back to training for her return to the WTA circuit. The former world No.1 was practicing in Brisbane ahead of the Brisbane International tournament, which is crucial preparation for the Australian Open next month. Osaka, who became a mother in 2021, has only played one game since the 2021 US Open due to her pregnancy.
Rafael Nadal is also set to return from an injury in Brisbane, where a stacked field is set to compete. With players like Matteo Berrettini and Dominic Thiem having to qualify to play, it promises to be an exciting start to the season.