Djokovic revealed that the Los Angeles Olympics are his driving motivation and responded gracefully to early doubts about him.

Between December 29 and 30, 2025, Dubai’s Jumeirah Al Qasr was the spotlight of the international sports scene. The Dubai World Sports Summit, under the theme "Sports Connect the World," brought together more than 70 global sports leaders, iconic athletes, and policymakers, forming a brilliant panorama of the sports world.

This summit represented a star-studded lineup of the sports world. Football’s elegant icon Paolo Maldini, Brazil’s golden boy Kaká, contemporary football legend Cristiano Ronaldo, undefeated mixed martial arts champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, and tennis icon Novak Djokovic gathered to discuss how sports transcend borders, cultures, and social divides to become a unifying force worldwide.

Over the two-day event, the summit featured keynote speeches, roundtable discussions, and interactive sessions, where guests shared their visions for the future of sports, personal career insights, and the unique role sports play in fostering global understanding and cooperation.

Djokovic’s speech was one of the summit’s highlight moments. The tennis legend, who has won 24 Grand Slam titles, demonstrated an enduring passion for competitive sports even as he approaches the later stages of his career.

“I want to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics,” Djokovic stated firmly. “That event is my guiding light. There are no limits. I love competing, and as long as I feel good, my body can handle it, and I can maintain a high level of performance, why not?”

These words not only reflect a great athlete’s relentless pursuit of challenges but also embody the true spirit of sports — that age is not a boundary, and passion and ability are the deciding factors. If Djokovic participates as planned, he will be 41 years old on the Olympic stage, continuing to write his legendary sports story.

The most poignant moment of the speech came after the host played a historic video. In this footage from the 2005 French Open, two commentators critiqued the then 18-year-old Djokovic: “He says he’s very eager to win, and it really seems so, both literally and figuratively.” The commentators implied that his slender physique might not withstand the pressures of top-tier competition.

Twenty years later, Djokovic, now a tennis titan, watched the clip without showing any resentment toward the criticism, instead displaying remarkable poise: “They were right; I am still hungry for victory.”

This brief yet powerful response earned enthusiastic applause from the audience. It showcased Djokovic’s maturity and confidence and conveyed a healthy attitude toward criticism—transforming doubt into motivation and answering skepticism with achievements rather than bitterness.

Djokovic’s journey perfectly exemplifies the summit’s theme, “Sports Connect the World.” From a Serbian youth to a global sports icon, his career itself is a strong testament to how sports overcome borders, cultures, and social barriers. His graceful reply to early criticism highlights the core values of sportsmanship: respect, tolerance, and growth.

Other discussions at the summit also focused on the social impact of sports. Participants explored how to use sports platforms to promote youth development, enhance social inclusion, and address global challenges like climate change. Sports were redefined not only as competitive contests but as vital forces for human unity and progress.

During the two-day Dubai World Sports Summit, Djokovic’s Olympic declaration and his elegant response to past skepticism became one of the most memorable moments. It reminded everyone that the true power of sports lies not only in breaking records and winning medals but in shaping character, crossing boundaries, and inspiring generations to strive for excellence.

As the countdown to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics begins, the world eagerly awaits to see if this tennis legend can realize his Olympic dream, and his story has already written the most vivid footnote to the theme “Sports Connect the World.”(Source: Tennis Home Author: Mei)