Novak Djokovic swapped tennis for padel this week as he was spotted enjoying the alternative racket sport with four glamorous partners. Â
The Serbian legend, 38, has not taken to the tennis court since his victory at the Hellenic Championship in early November, instead enjoying some well-earned rest and recuperation ahead of his return next month.Â
But even on his days off Djokovic is seemingly continuing to groove his forehand as fans spotted the 24-time Grand Slam winner trying his hand at padel while holidaying in Belgrade.
In videos posted to social media, Djokovic was seen enjoying a game in the Serbian sun along with four women, three of them named Djina Mandic, Brooke Sharpe and Jodi Ribnik, according to European publication Telegraf.Â
Djokovic also posed for a wholesome picture with his glamorous friends, who looked elated to be taking tips off one of the greatest players to ever grace a court. Â
Padel has indeed captured the interest of a number of current and ex-tennis stars in recent years, with the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Juan Martin del Potro and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga all trying their hands at the sport.
Novak Djokovic swapped tennis for padel this week as he was spotted enjoying the alternative racket sport with four glamorous partners
The Serbian was seen playing with four girls, three of them named Djina Mandic, Brooke Sharpe and Jodi Ribik, in Serbia
Djokovic has admitted that padel has left tennis ‘endangered’ despite playing the sport himself
However Djokovic has actually been critical of padel in the past, even claiming that the sport has left tennis ‘endangered’.
Speaking after Wimbledon in 2024, he said: ‘Tennis is the king or queen of all the racket sports, that’s true, but on a club level tennis is endangered.Â
‘If we don’t do something about it, as I said, globally or collectively, padel – or pickleball in the States – they’re going to convert all the tennis clubs into padel and pickleball because it’s just more economical.Â
‘You have one tennis court. You can build three paddle courts on one tennis court. You do the simple math.
‘It’s just much more financially viable for an owner of a club to have those courts.’Â
Despite the fact he will turn 39 in May, Djokovic, currently ranked World No 4, affirmed last month that he has no plans to retire just yet.Â
The Serbian will make his return to the court next month at the Adelaide International, a tournament which he won two years ago.Â
And speaking to reporters, Djokovic revealed that he’s considering saying farewell to the sport after the Los Angeles Olympics of 2028. When those games begin, he will have just turned 41.
‘I’ve always had this throughout my life and my career, I’ve always had a schedule in my head for a year or more, what I want now, how I want it,’ he revealed after winning his 101st career title in Athens.Â
Djokovic revealed last month that he’s considering retiring after the Olympics in 2028
‘Since I’ve achieved absolutely all possible goals, I said about the 2028 Olympics because I wanted to play for so many more years. So maybe ending up at the Olympic Games with the Serbian flag, that would be nice.
‘I really don’t know,’ he admitted about his future plans. ‘Because there are some things that are not entirely in my control. I’m trying to be as healthy as possible mentally and physically.’Â
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Tennis legend Novak Djokovic enjoys off-season by playing padel with glamorous blonde friends after revealing plans for retirement