Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis legend, has recently opened up about the internal struggles he’s been facing as he navigates through the later stages of his illustrious career. At 37, Djokovic has already achieved almost everything a tennis player could dream of—setting Grand Slam records, holding the world No. 1 ranking for an unmatched number of weeks, and dominating the sport for over a decade. However, despite these accomplishments, Djokovic finds himself grappling with the challenge of maintaining motivation, a struggle he’s admitted is becoming more difficult with time.

In the lead-up to the Monte Carlo Masters, Djokovic shared his doubts about continuing to push himself in the sport. Although he has had some remarkable moments in recent years, including capturing an Olympic gold medal, he’s also faced his share of lows. After a disappointing exit from the Australian Open in January, Djokovic endured a rare three-match losing streak, which left many questioning whether his best days were behind him. However, he bounced back in a significant way at the Miami Open, where he made it to his first final in nearly six months. Although he eventually lost to Jacob Mensik in the final, his performance was a breath of fresh air, providing a much-needed boost to his confidence.

In an emotional admission, Djokovic explained the difficulty he faces in balancing his career with personal life. “I’m working on keeping everything balanced,” he said, reflecting on the complexities of managing his professional commitments while ensuring peace with his personal life. He acknowledged that staying motivated, especially for the daily grind of practice, is a challenge he didn’t experience early in his career. The fire that once drove him is now harder to sustain, and doubts creep in during moments of struggle, like when his performance falters or he faces early exits from tournaments.

The doubts Djokovic faces are not uncommon for athletes at the tail end of their careers, and he’s candid about the internal battles he faces. He revealed that when things aren’t going well, he starts hearing inner voices questioning how much longer he can continue. “You start hearing those inner voices questioning whether you should continue, how much longer you can keep going,” he confessed. Still, Djokovic credits his performance in Miami for reigniting his passion for the sport, giving him hope for the upcoming clay season and beyond.

Despite these internal struggles, Djokovic remains focused on a few more milestones that could further cement his legacy. With just one title shy of his 100th career victory and the possibility of winning a record-setting 25th Grand Slam, Djokovic’s competitive spirit is still alive. Even though many expect him to retire while at the top of his game, Djokovic is not in any rush to step away from the sport. When asked if reaching his 25th Grand Slam and 100th title might signal the end of his career, Djokovic responded, “I don’t think so, but never say never. I still feel like there’s fuel left in the tank.” He pointed to his performances in both Australia and Miami as proof that he can still compete at the highest level, and that’s what keeps him motivated.

While some fans believe Djokovic should retire on top, as many thought he might do after his Olympic win, he’s keeping an open mind about the future. “Let’s see what the future holds,” he said, emphasizing that he would take the opportunity to win his 100th title at a Grand Slam this year in a heartbeat. However, he acknowledged that it would be a tough challenge, and the outcome remains uncertain. Despite his doubts, Djokovic’s resilience and determination to continue competing at the highest level remain evident, as he pushes forward in his quest for more milestones, still hoping to add to his legendary career.