Novak Djokovic has been given plenty of reminders about his own tennis mortality in the recent months.

So it is perhaps only natural that he may have given more thought about what he will spend his time doing after retiring.

Djokovic is the last man standing among the ‘Big Four’AFP

Last week, Rafael Nadal announced he will hang up his racket for good after being plagued with injury.

The pair first met in a Grand Slam final in 2010 and have battled it out nine times on the biggest stage of all – with Nadal holding a 5-4 winning record.

That means that Nadal, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray have all quit tennis – leaving Djokovic standing alone as the last of the ‘Big Four’.

The 37-year-old ended 2024 without a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2017, with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner sharing all four between them.

He did, however, win an Olympic gold medal for the first time in his career.

Djokovic recently addressed his advancing years and the youngsters coming through.

He told Sportal: “I think I belong to that old guard that maybe can’t handle the youth anymore. Changes are definitely coming, it’s a natural process and it’s been talked about for several years.

“We have young guys now, but we also have a generation that is in between, [Alexander] Zverev, [Daniil] Medvedev, [Stefanos] Tsitsipas. These are all guys who either were or are now in the top 10, Medvedev was number one.

“They will be around for a while with the younger ones. Sinner and Alcaraz, over the last 12 months the two have developed an incredible rivalry and that’s what’s really catching people’s attention.

“People may not follow tennis as such, but everyone follows great rivalries.”

Djokovic won the first gold medal of his career at the OlympicsGetty

While he has been tipped to be a coach after his retirement, he also spoke about his many interests outside of the sport.

He added: “I am interested in many things. I still want to learn to play the saxophone, to really learn. A few years ago I played decently for a while, but then I became bad because I didn’t practise enough and regularly.

“I would like to learn to sing, to play some instruments. Saxophone is number one, but I would like to learn to play the others as well. I would like to learn and act in the theatre, I love the theatre. Theatre above all, but I also like movies.

“I prefer live interaction though. I love comedy and try to pick up some tricks from friends who are actors. I would like to start painting and drawing and making things.”

Djokovic isn’t kidding about his talents with the saxophone too.

Back in 2023, he performed on stage alongside cellist Stjepan Hauser at a concert in Belgrade, Serbia.

That city is likely to become his home for good once again after he retires too.

His father, Srdjan, said: “When Novak finishes his tennis career, he will live in his city Belgrade, his country Serbia.

“I think there is no greater satisfaction, pride and success than your child spreading the glory of his people and his country all over the world.”