Novak Djokovic will turn 37 next year, but the Serbian tennis player says his appetite for success will only grow as young competitors awaken the "beast" within him. The world number one enjoyed an exceptional year in 2023, winning three of the four Grand Slam titles, bringing his total to 24 major titles—two more than his great rival Rafael Nadal and four more than retiring Roger Federer. However, Djokovic did not manage to win all four Grand Slams last year, as the 20-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz denied him a fifth consecutive title at Wimbledon in an exciting final, while 22-year-old Jannik Sinner dashed his hopes of winning the Davis Cup with Serbia.
Djokovic stated on CBS's "60 Minutes," "The young and very eager players who are passionate about giving their best against me provide an extra motivation for me. I think they have somewhat awakened the beast inside me." Djokovic defeated Alcaraz in three of their four encounters this year, including a semifinal at the French Open, where the Spanish player suffered cramps throughout his body. However, the Serbian said that his young rival poses a real threat.
Djokovic remarked, "He is a complete player as I have seen over the years." He added that he used his defeat at the Wimbledon final as motivation on the hard courts in the United States, where he triumphed in Cincinnati and at the US Open. He continued, "It’s a great opportunity for me to rediscover myself and push harder than ever."
