'Age Is Just A Number': Djokovic Feels He's In His Prime Despite Being 36

| by Erik Virostko

As weird as it may sound, it seems that at 36 years of age, Novak Djokovic is playing his best tennis, and he shares the opinion.

With three out of four Grand Slam titles behind his belt in 2023, it's hard to argue that the season has been one of the best in his career, along with memorable 2011 and 2015 seasons.

Djokovic was also name the ITF World Champion for the season, which did not come as a surprise, but what may come as a surprise to some is that he's in his "prime" at 36.

During a recent interview with Jon Wertheim for 60 Minutes, the Serbian was asked a straightforward question, whether he thinks he's in his prime despite being 36.

"I could say, yes. I was fortunate to have several primes during my career. 2011 was the first best year where I had a run of over 40 matches won without any loss. The first loss came, I don’t know, after 10 tournaments, midseason."

"That was the first time I won three [Grand] Slams in a year. And I had several years where I won three Slams in a year: 2015, 2016. I had maybe 18 or 19 finals in a row. So those were the primes in my 20s. And now in my 30s, I’ve been experiencing some really good years, particularly ’21 and this year, ’23."

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Playing so good so late in his career, there must be some secret, right? According to Djokovic, it's all about the mindset as the 36-year-old says "age is just a number."

"I think it’s mindset, really. Age is just a number. It’s a cliché, but it really is a psychological approach that you have to life, to age, to career and to anything."

On top of that, Djokovic is known as a player that puts a lot of time into his body and his preparation, and eventually, it's paying off as it gives him longevity on the ATP Tour.

"Fundamentally, I put a lot of effort into having a proper routine to prevent injuries and absence from the tour. I don’t see any limit in terms of age. I’ve surpassed 35, now I have to be thinking about myself as an old guy? I actually don’t think that way."

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