Novak Djokovic names two people who may change his retirement plans in update on future

Wimbledon: Novak Djokovic speaks after winning final

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Novak Djokovic has addressed the future of his career as he admitted decisions about his tennis schedule and eventual retirement wouldn’t be determined by his own interests, as he admitted his two children will dictate the length of the rest of his time on the tour. It comes after the 35-year-old lifted a record-equalling sixth ATP Finals trophy in Turin, with his kids watching on from his box all week long and witnessing his victory.

Novak Djokovic discussed his future in tennis after winning the ATP Finals

Djokovic won his sixth ATP Finals crown on Sunday to equal long-time rival Roger Federer’s record, and it was also the first time that the Serb won the title in his thirties. As he continues to make history at the age of 35, the 91-time title winner was quizzed on his tennis future and the thought of retirement following his 7-5 6-3 victory over Casper Ruud to lift the title in Turin. And the world No 8 admitted that it was two of his biggest cheerleaders this week - his children Stefan and Tara - who would likely dictate his future while he remained fit and healthy. “There is no end zone, as they call it in American football,” Djokovic started, first shutting down any thoughts of an impending retirement. “I don't feel I have thoughts or ideas about how I want to end my career in terms of when I want to end it, if that's an answer for you. If I had something on my mind, I would share it with you, saying, Okay, this is what I'm navigating towards, and when I do that, I'll leave the racquet. I don't have that.” JUST IN: Roger Federer weighs in on chances of coaching after retirement

Novak Djokovic's children cheered him on all week in Turin

The 21-time Grand Slam champion also said he had no problem with motivation, as he continued: “For me it's about, first of all, having good emotions and positive feelings on the court, practice court. One thing is to win big trophies, and everything is super nice, it's a fairy tale. “But you got to go through hardship, a lot of hardship, a lot of difficult days and challenging tasks on a daily basis in order to push yourself, motivate yourself, work on yourself in order to get to this level and eventually with a chance to win.” Djokovic confessed that things could change if he lost his passion for the sport but thought it was more likely that Stefan and Tara’s needs would take precedence. “That's for me the most important thing. If that's something that is fading away or I'm not feeling that passion or love for the game as much in terms of competition, because I feel like the love for the tennis will never fade away, it will always stay there. So I will always stay in tennis in whatever shape, form or role,” he explained. DON'T MISS

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Novak Djokovic admitted he may have to alter his schedule to fit his kids' needs

READ MORE Djokovic to make history as Rusedski offers 2023 Grand Slam prediction “But competition is something different. Professional competitive career requires a lot of sacrifice with family and all the other things in life.” While things were working for Djokovic in the present moment, he had already admitted that his wife Jelena found the week “stressful” as she tried to keep their kids entertained in Turin, and the world No 8 knew that things could change. He added: “For that, it's necessary to have the support of the close ones, to have the right balance, to figure out optimally what works the best so that you can still continue playing tennis. Right now things are functioning well on that end for me. But you never know what's going to happen.

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