Novak Djokovic should only retire from tennis if he feels the ‘fire isn’t burning’ any longer, according to Martina Navratilova.
The Serb is one of the best players of all time, having won a remarkable 24 Grand Slams throughout his career so far.
Yet Djokovic has struggled so far this year and will end 2024 without a single major to his name.
He was sent crashing out of the US Open on Saturday, with Alexei Popyrin beating the former world No 1 in four sets to advance to the fourth round.
Novak Djokovic should only retire from tennis if he feels the ‘fire isn’t burning’ any longer, according to Martina Navratilova
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Some tennis fans took to social media to call on Djokovic to retire, with his powers starting to wane.
Navratilova admits that, if she was in the tennis star’s shoes, she’d probably hang up the racket and call it a day.
But the 67-year-old also feels Djokovic should only walk away from the sport once he no longer feels the ‘fire’ inside.
“He got the one he really wanted, which was the Olympic gold medal, but he also still wants that 25th, because then he has one more than Margaret Court,” she told Sky Sports.
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“Father Time will catch up to him… and maybe it already is a little bit, because he really wasn’t himself in that last match.
“It depends how much the fire is still burning. If it’s still burning, I’m never going to say ‘you shouldn’t play’, because he’s never going to tarnish his legacy – it’s ridiculously good.
“I’m sure his wife is saying: ‘it’s time to hang it up, how many more of these do you need?’.
“Maybe just one more… but, then again, if he wins the Australian Open, he’s going to want to play Roland Garros and Wimbledon, right? He’s not going to quit then.
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“It’s up to him. Either way, you can’t criticise because what a fantastic career.
“I would probably hang it up but if he loves, it why not?”
One player who didn’t take part at the US Open is Rafael Nadal.
It is still unclear if the Spaniard will play on beyond the year, having previously indicated he’d retire.
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Novak Djokovic ‘won’t ever tarnish his legacy’ despite his recent US Open exit, Martina Navratilova believes
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Like with Djokovic, however, Navratilova believes hunger is the key to whether he keeps taking to the court or not.
“It depends on how much desire there is,” she added when asked about Nadal.
“If you’re just battling your body – you really want to play but it’s not letting you – then I would just give in.
Novak Djokovic was stunned by Alexei Popyrin in their US Open clash on Saturday
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“He has had an unbelievable career.
“A much longer career than we all thought he would have because of the physicality of his style.
“That foot has been bothering him for years. And, man, if I lived in Mallorca and had his lifestyle, his boat, I think I would hang it up.”