Novak Djokovic's dad has already spoken about Wimbledon icon's retirement plans

Novak Djokovic addressed his advancing years following his straight-sets defeat to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon, with some of his retirement plans already made, according to his father

Novak Djokovic’s father disclosed the tennis legend’s plans for retirement well before his Wimbledon humbling at the hands of Jannik Sinner. The 38-year-old acknowledged that age was beginning to take its toll after a straight-sets thrashing by the world No. 1 in the last four at SW19.

Sinner dispatched Djokovic in just one hour and 55 minutes, setting up a final clash with reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz, following Djokovic’s medical timeout for treatment on his left thigh after the second set. Despite reaching the semi-finals in all grand slams this year, Djokovic has yet to make it to a final and had retired injured at the Australian Open.

Nonetheless, Djokovic has dismissed suggestions about retirement. Speaking after his exit, he said: “I would be sad [if it was my last] but hopefully it’s not my last match on Centre Court.

“I’m not planning to finish my Wimbledon career today. I’m planning to come back, definitely, at least one more time.”

While Djokovic’s days at the top of tennis are not over yet, his father, Srdjan, has said that retirement plans are in place, having encouraged his son to call it a day. Despite owning several luxurious homes across the globe, including in New York, Monaco, and Marbella, Novak intends to settle down in his home city of Belgrade.

Srdjan said last year: “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.”

Earlier this year, Djokovic addressed his dad’s desire for him to retire, saying: “I don’t know if he’s going to be happy with me saying this, but my dad has been trying to retire me for a while now. He understands why I keep going, but he’s like, ‘What else do you want to do?’

As he approaches his 40th birthday, Djokovic admits to feeling the physical strain of competing against younger players such as Sinner, 23, and Alcaraz, 22. He said: “I don’t think it’s bad fortune. It’s just age, the wear and tear of the body.

“As much as I’m taking care of it, the reality hits me right now, last year and a half, like never before, to be honest. It’s tough for me to accept that because I feel like, when I’m fresh, when I’m fit, I can still play really good tennis.

“I’ve proven that this year. But I guess playing best-of-five, particularly this year, has been a real struggle for me physically.

“The longer the tournament goes, the worse the condition gets. I reach the final stages, I reach the semis of every slam this year, but I have to play Sinner or Alcaraz.

“These guys are fit, young, sharp. I feel like I’m going into the match with the tank half empty. It’s just not possible to win a match like that.”