'I Have Much More Than I Need': Djokovic Opens Up About Helping Other Players

| by Erik Virostko

Novak Djokovic is not just one of the most successful tennis players ever, he's also one of the most generous, and he proved it multiple times.

Throughout his successful career, Djokovic has earned more than $180 million in prize money, and tens of millions in endorsements and sponsorship deals.

However, he's not keeping the money only for himself. Only recently has it become known that the 24-time Grand Slam champion is funding the career of rising star Hamad Medjedovic, a player who recently won the NextGen ATP Finals.

The Serbian legend also practices with Medjedovic ahead of the 2024 season, but before he started his pre-season camp in Dubai, Djokovic sat down with John Wertheim in a talk for CBS News.

During the interview, he was asked why he financially supports other players, even though it may be Medjedovic who may deny him his 25th Grand Slam or 41st ATP Masters 1000 title in the future.

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"Well, because I have plenty, you know? I have much more than I need. But, women and men who are around 200 and lower ranked in that world, they are struggling a lot."

Knowing the struggles himself, Djokovic said that he just likes to support these players because they can't afford many necessities and basic needs of professional tennis players.

That's why he has also decided to support Medjedovic, a player who may become a Grand Slam champion in the future, if he follows up on his success from the 2023 NextGen ATP Finals.

"They can't afford a coach. They can't afford travels. They skip tournaments. Many of them leave tennis who are super talented and maybe capable of reaching great heights and successes. But they just can't make it."

On top of helping Medjedovic, Djokovic also leads the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), with which he fights for better conditions for tennis players around the world.

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