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Novak Djokovic's ambition to continue playing until the 2028 Olympic Games has been questioned by the director of the Paris Masters, who admits he is struggling to understand the Serbian's recent decisions. The 39-year-old has made no secret of his desire to extend his remarkable career for another two years, with the Los Angeles Olympics potentially providing a fitting finale. However, Cedric Pioline believes the physical demands of competing at the highest level are increasingly catching up with the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
Djokovic is currently competing at the Paris Masters, a tournament he has won seven times - more than any other Masters 1000 event in his illustrious career. Yet, with his physical condition no longer seemingly at the extraordinary level of previous years, another triumph in the French capital could prove difficult.
Speaking on Eurosport's Retour Gagnant programme, tournament director Pioline acknowledged the challenge facing the veteran, particularly with almost two years still remaining until the next Olympic Games.
"He is 39 years old, and although he has stated his intention to extend his career until the Los Angeles 2028 Games, it is becoming increasingly difficult. It's only natural: the body doesn't respond as well, it's less quick, and it requires more time to recover," he explained.
Pioline also questioned Djokovic's apparent change of approach towards the ATP Finals in Turin. The Serbian qualified for the season-ending tournament in both 2024 and 2025 but opted against participating on each occasion.
Despite his chances of finishing among the world's top eight players looking increasingly slim this season, Djokovic has expressed a clear desire to compete in Turin this time around. That apparent change of heart has left Pioline puzzled, particularly given the prestige attached to the competition.
"It's hard to understand his logic. He qualified for the ATP Finals in 2024 and 2025, but he didn't play," he said. "It's quite unique in the history of players who qualify, as everyone dreams of competing in that tournament. And now, precisely when he hasn't qualified, he has announced that he wants to earn his place and play."
Djokovic battled past Valentin Vacherot in his opening match at the Paris Masters on Tuesday, recovering from losing the first set 7-6 to claim a 7-5, 6-1 victory and book his place in the second round. The Serbian faces Australian Rinky Hijikata on Wednesday, with victory potentially setting up a blockbuster last-16 meeting with Alex de Minaur.
The challenges are only likely to become tougher from there. French Open and US Open champion Alexander Zverev is a potential quarter-final opponent, while Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev are among the leading contenders on the other side of the draw who could await Djokovic in the final.
Djokovic holds the record for the most Grand Slam titles in men's tennis with 24, but has not lifted one since 2023. In the three years since, he has reached just two major finals - Wimbledon in 2024 and the Australian Open in 2026 - losing to Alcaraz on both occasions.
Having reached the semi-finals of all four Grand Slams in 2025, Djokovic's performances at the sport's biggest tournaments have dipped noticeably this year. Although he finished runner-up in Melbourne and reached the last four at Wimbledon, he suffered a third-round exit at the French Open before crashing out in the opening round of the US Open.
It marks the first time since 2006 that Djokovic has failed to reach the quarter-finals at two or more Grand Slams in the same calendar year.
With the LA Olympics in 2028 firmly in his sights, Djokovic remains determined to extend his career for at least another two years. Speaking in April, Djokovic said: "All my life, my career, I've been planning for years what I want and how I want it to be.
"That's why I achieved absolutely all possible goals. I said for the 2028 Olympics because I wanted to play for so many more years, and maybe to finish on the Olympic Games with the Serbian flag.
"That would be nice. Will I push until then? I don’t know. I really don’t know, because some things aren’t completely under my control. But I’m trying to be as healthy as possible both mentally and physically."
With his physical struggles becoming increasingly apparent and his Grand Slam dominance seemingly behind him, questions are inevitably beginning to emerge over how much longer he can compete at the very highest level.
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