Thunderclap and stupefaction in the tennis world. Novak Djokovic confirmed late Wednesday evening that he will retire from the sport at the end of the 2021 season. Completely unexpected, the information was first leaked in Serbian sports media (Спорт Фисх and Април Тенис), and then quickly confirmed by the interested party, anxious to keep control of it. The Serb, currently in Monte Carlo, in full preparation for the clay court season, initially planned to make his announcement on the sidelines of Roland Garros. After a title, ideally. But he was caught off guard and explained his choice, from his desire for something else to his weariness of the race for records, his rivalry with Nadal and Federer, his life directions for the future and his enlightening (and sometimes intriguing) discussions with his friend Pepe Imaz.

A very difficult announcement initially planned for Roland Garros

Everything has been a bit rushed in the last few hours. The announcement was initially scheduled by the world number one for the next French Open. But, as is often the case these days, the news leaked out and he decided to confirm it straight away so as not to let the rumour get out of hand and take over everything else. A way of keeping control, especially since his decision is well thought out, as he explains: "I never let anything be known in public, but I've been thinking about it for over a year now. Even those close to me have only known about it for a few weeks and many, including my father, are still convinced that they can change my mind before the end of the year. My father works on it every day. But it's not going to happen, my mind is made up and I have no doubts about it. The pleasure of playing is still strong, but other things attract me and they are not compatible with the time required to invest 100% in tennis. And I can't imagine playing tennis without investing 100% of my time..."

Lassitude, Covid-19 and the desire to open up to other dimensions of his life

This period of the pandemic has made him take a step back. He feels good with his family and wants to devote himself more fully to his family. Many projects have also attracted him for a long time. So much so that the weariness of not being able to devote time to anything other than tennis has gradually made itself felt. The coronavirus and its worldwide pandemic followed by the confinement also left him "to see what life would be like away from the circuit". The man with 18 Grand Slam titles made it clear: "Not having to travel all the time has been great for me. It made me think more about stopping soon. The fact that I can spend more time with my wife, my son and my daughter without constraints. The current conditions on the circuit are also very demanding, it is more difficult to enjoy it, and it could last. The additional fatigue induced is important. And, beyond that, I deeply feel the need to open myself to other dimensions of my life. Top-level tennis doesn't give me the opportunity to do that."

The obsession with records and its shortcomings

His vision of his own quest for records also seems to have gradually evolved: "My title at Roland Garros (editor's note: in 2016) and the months that followed had already made me think and put things into perspective," confides the Serb, "I know from that moment on, in my heart, that records only seem to nourish you before you reach them. Once achieved, they can leave you drained, energetic and aimless, far from the fulfilment you had hoped for. And I don't want to get into that obsessive quest again where nothing else matters. The last Australian Open also seems to have weighed on his decision. Despite the satisfaction he felt after lifting the trophy, Djokovic seems, with hindsight, to have been affected by his decision to continue the tournament when he knew he was injured. He said: "Chasing records at all costs can make you make the wrong decisions. In Melbourne I continued to play when I knew I was injured, I was lucky it didn't get too bad, but I won't always be that lucky and I don't want to see myself neglecting my body's health like that. Leaving at the end of the year will also allow him to control his exit and, probably, go out on top. "A chance that not everyone has," he concedes.

Don't cut the link with tennis

However, the Serb is far from wanting to turn his back on tennis, which will remain "(his) greatest passion". His role as director of the Belgrade tournament (from 18 to 25 April), where he will combine this role with that of player from this year onwards, will contribute to this in the future, while allowing him to be close to his family and friends.

"I also have many other health and wellness projects that can be applied to tennis, but I will talk about them in due course. One of these projects is the creation of a top-notch Djokovic Academy in Belgrade in the near future. "One of the biggest projects of (his) life", as he said last year. A project launched in relative secrecy in 2020, perhaps a sign that he is beginning to think about the next step in his career. A first phase of tests has been conducted at his Novak Tennis Club. This is enough to keep him busy, even if he seems to want to keep a few other surprises in store for us.

Decisive moments spent with his friend Pepe Imaz

The future seems to be already mapped out in the mind of the world number one and his serenity contrasts with the stupefaction caused by this announcement that nobody saw coming. A serenity not only due to the long maturation of his decision, which we mentioned earlier, but also, and perhaps above all, to the fact that, as in almost everything he undertakes, the Serb perceives a very spiritual aspect in his life path. Like a higher reason that would guide him in his choices. This last aspect again seems to have played a major role in his decision to stop at the end of the year. And as for some years now, his friend Pepe Imaz, former player and director of an academy in Marbella, was not far away. His advice and his philosophy of "Amor y Paz" (Love and Peace) were very much with Djokovic in his reflection. He is a great friend and we understand each other perfectly. He understands very well my search for balance, both spiritual and otherwise, as well as my search for harmony in my life and in the lives of those around me. He was one of the first to whom I confided my questioning, and he helped me a lot to see more clearly and to make my decision. I am very grateful to him.

Stop trying to outdo Federer and Nadal at all costs

One of the key elements seems to have been to get rid of the desire to match or surpass Federer and Nadal in every way and at all costs. He said: "With Roger and Rafa, we are three different people, so it's normal that our relationship with the world is different and the world's relationship with us is different. It took me a long time to accept that, to finally really follow my own path and simply accept what it offered me. Far from the often boisterous declarations of his clan, led by his father, as was the case until recently, the Serbian now seems to have a calmer relationship with the competition in the Big 3. A posture that is not only a facade as many have often suspected. The Serbian is looking forward with serenity, and even with a touch of humour, to the fact that he will not surpass the Grand Slam records of the Swiss and the Spaniard. "I still have three Grand Slam tournaments to equal or even surpass them. It's not much, but it's a real opportunity and I know I can take it. But if I don't do it, it doesn't matter. It's not what will fill the rest of my life. I'm already very grateful for what I've achieved, it's far beyond anything I'd hoped for. And, if I can do it, then I'm counting on the next generation to win the Grand Slams that follow (smiles). We've won enough, it's their turn in 2022, they just have to wait a few more months (laughs)."

It will be their turn, unless Federer and Nadal decide otherwise. Or unless daddy Srdjan Djokovic finds the arguments to get his way. The fact that the announcement comes today is bound to be a big one. Even if things are probably very well done in the end, because apart from the mildness of this early spring, this announcement could not have been made at any other time.