With three Grand Slam wins in 2023, Novak Djokovic has had an amazing year that has left his younger competitors scratching their heads. Although the 36-year-old Serb has now achieved a record 24 Grand Slam singles triumphs, he shows no signs of slowing down. He has failed to win the crown four times, so the Paris Olympics will be his next big goal. “I want to compete with my best tennis game in the Olympics, who knows, maybe I will have another opportunity to compete in the Olympics.
They visit them only once every four years. Djokovic, who won Sportsman of the Year at the Laureus Sports Awards in Madrid, recently said: “I really wanted to play at least until the 2028 LA Olympics, but at this stage in my career you never know what can happen or how far. Can I go."
He took bronze in his first Olympics in Beijing in 2008, but failed to win gold in the next three games. "I doubt I would have participated if I didn't believe that winning a gold medal was achievable. You have to have faith that life is full of possibilities. I will do everything in my power to take advantage of this opportunity."
Based on his current form, Djokovic is expected to be the favourite in Paris in 2023. Last year he brought home victories at the US Open, Roland Garros and the Australian Open. Carlos Alcaraz defeated him in a memorable five-set match at Wimbledon. By the end of the year, he had achieved a record seventh ATP Finals victory and an unprecedented eighth year at the top of the rankings.
"In sports history, the Olympics is the most renowned and oldest competition. Representing Serbia at the Olympics is a great honour and I sincerely wish to stay cool and fit," remarked Djokovic. He collected his sixth Laureus World Sportsman of the Year award on a night to remember at the legendary Palacio de Cibeles in the city centre. Seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady presented the trophy to Djokovic as he looked back on an exciting long career that included rivals Rafael Nadal and Alcaraz. "Winning my sixth Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award is an amazing honour for me. I remember winning it for the first time as a 24-year-old in 2012. I'm very proud to be here after 12 years." It was an incredible feeling to win my 10th title and return to Australia in January last year. This event means a lot to me and has set me up for an amazing year ahead. I could not have achieved this level of success without my amazing team and motivating opponents who constantly challenged me to be the best version of myself. As a symbol of recognition from the 69 elite athletes who make up the world's Laureus Sports Academy, this award is extremely meaningful. As a champion and supporter of Laureus Sport for Good, I consider myself incredibly lucky to be among the greatest in sporting history because I also believe that athletics has the ability to positively impact the world.
The prestigious trophy was owned by other outstanding performers of the year. Jude Bellingham has been awarded the 'World Breakthrough of the Year' award in recognition of his outstanding impact at Real Madrid. With four world championship golds and the World Return of the Year Award, Simone Biles made an incredible comeback in 2018. With their World Cup winning women's soccer team named "Cena Laureus Team of the Year", Spain had plenty to celebrate.
