Novak Djokovic says he’ll return to the Australian Open subsequent yr if he’s nonetheless “match, wholesome and motivated”.
The 37-year-old Serb, aiming for a record-extending eleventh males’s singles title, retired injured from his semi-final towards Alexander Zverev on Friday.
He raised each thumbs within the air in direction of the 15,000 followers as he left Rod Laver Enviornment – which he has usually described as his “second house”.
Requested if it could be his closing look at Melbourne Park, Djokovic mentioned. “I do not know. There’s a probability. Who is aware of? I will simply must see how the season goes.
“I wish to preserve going. However whether or not I will have a revised schedule or not for the following yr, I am undecided.”
It’s the second successive yr that Djokovic has misplaced within the Melbourne semi-finals.
Djokovic has stripped again his schedule in latest seasons and prioritised being prepared for the largest tournaments – particularly the 4 Grand Slams.
The previous world primary continues to hunt a twenty fifth Slam to maneuver away from Australia’s Margaret Courtroom, who gained 24 girls’s singles titles between 1960 and 1973.
The Australian Open is the place Djokovic has loved most of Grand Slam success adopted by Wimbledon, the place he has gained seven titles.
He has additionally gained three French Open and 4 US Open titles.
“I usually like to return to Australia to play,” seventh seed Djokovic added.
“I’ve had the largest success in my profession right here. So if I am match, wholesome, motivated, I do not see a motive why I would not come.
“However there’s all the time an opportunity [it is the last time].”