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By Jonathan Scott Jan 02, 2018
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Djokovic plans to play longer than Agassi

ByJonathan Scott

Published Jan 02, 2018

Novak Djokovic pushed back his return to professional tennis after a six-month hiatus. The 30-year-old should still appear in Tie Break Tens action, an exhibition event in Melbourne, alongside Stan Wawrinka and Rafael Nadal, who are also set to show off how time away from sanctioned play may actually have helped them.

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Speaking to Sport360's Reem Abulleil, Djokovic said of his plans for a long and productive career as a pro that he plans to play past the ages that his coaches Andre Agassi (36) and Radek Stepanek (38) did:

"Yes, I do, even older than that, actually. I don’t want to put any limit to my career or to anything that I do, really. The limits only exist in the mind, and if you set yourself a limit, or say, 'Hey, it was a standard before so we have to accept the standard that once you reach that magical number 30 in tennis, you’re not anymore at your peak.' Who says that? Jimmy Connors played when he was 40, semis of US Open. Roger is where he is winning Slams at his age. Who says that?"

Citing further problems with his healing elbow, Djokovic pulled out of the exhibition event in Abu Dhabi, and then from his first scheduled ATP tournament in Doha.

For Sports 360, Djokovic continued: "I truly believe that we are the creators of our own destiny and our own paths and what we really want. What do you really want? That’s always a question: What do I really want, and how much do I want it? Because for now I am very happy and very grateful to be able to have a family and play the sport that I love with all my heart today, as I did when I was four, when I started, and of course it’s essential to have the support of your close ones."

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Check out the rest of Djokovic's insightful conversation with Sport360, parts one and two, focusing on his injury layoff, the new lineup of his superstar-meets-trainer team and more. Beyond Tie Break Tens on January 10, his schedule still includes the Australian Open.

Pending no further physical issues, there's certainly plenty of elbow room for him to add more appearances.

Follow Jon on Twitter @jonscott9.

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