Tennis News Roundup: Novak Djokovic hints retirement not coming for 3 more years; Carlos Alcaraz's dating life question at ATP Finals sparks controversy

Amid retirement rumors, Novak Djokovic expressed his wish to represent Serbia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Fans called out the journalist who inquired about Carlos Alcaraz's dating life at the ATP Finals.

Lorenzo Musetti said he shared a laugh with Djokovic after the Serb revealed his decision to withdraw from the year-end championship. Elena Rybakina disclosed that she would address a health issue before spending time with her family, who were absent from her victorious WTA Finals campaign. Naomi Osaka and Paula Badosa penned emotional messages, reflecting on their season.

Let's dive deeper into the stories of the day:

#1. Novak Djokovic says he's far from retiring, hopes to play the 2028 LA Olympics

2024 Summer Olympics - Source: Getty

Novak Djokovic rallied from a set down to defeat Lorenzo Musetti in the ATP 250 Hellenic Championship final last Saturday, November 8. In the post-match press conference, the Serb revealed that he had no plans to retire before the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

"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, how I want it. 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," Djokovic said (translated from Serbian).

However, the 38-year-old is aware of how difficult a task it would be and that he would have to look after his mental and physical health.

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#2. Fans react furiously after Carlos Alcaraz is asked about his dating life at ATP Finals

In his first round-robin match at the year-end championship in Turin on Sunday, Carlos Alcaraz downed Alex de Minaur in straight sets. During the post-match press conference, the Spaniard was taken aback when former WTA player and now journalist, Elena Vesnina, asked him (in broken English) if he was dating anyone.

"Carlos, congratulations on the win today. I think you answered all the questions about the match today, but I have a question a bit different that were in a lot of girls around the world. Are your heart has been taken? Are you free? Your heart is free or taken?"

Alcaraz replied:

"I'm free. I'm free."

However, fans online could not fathom why a personal question was asked in a post-match press conference.

"Unnecessary and inappropriate. Carlos’s personal life is his own business. Stick to the tennis," one fan wrote. "Not to be that person but I think it’s really inappropriate to question players about their love life," opined one. "Not only was that question inappropriate but it was worded so badly lol," another added.

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#3. Lorenzo Musetti says he laughed with Novak Djokovic after the Serb's withdrawal from ATP Finals 2025

Last week, Lorenzo Musetti was fighting with Felix Auger-Aliassime for the last remaining spot at the ATP Finals. Had the Italian won the Hellenic Championship, he would have gone through, but he lost to Novak Djokovic in the title clash.

At the net, the Serb told Musetti that he was going to withdraw from the year-end tournament, which meant that both Auger-Aliassime and the Italian had qualified. In a press conference, Musetti shared his thoughts on the situation, saying (via Tennis.com):

"Of course, I think the strange situation was that he was playing literally the week before the Masters. That could be a little bit strange for a player who is already qualified." "Of course, when he told me at the net after the match that he was not coming, honestly, we had a laugh about it. I was curious all week. I was curious if he was coming or not," he added.

Musetti lost his first match in Turin 3-6, 4-6 to Taylor Fritz on Monday.

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#4. Elena Rybakina plans to meet her family, who skipped WTA Finals

WTA Finals 2025 - Source: Getty

The last to secure her berth, Elena Rybakina won five consecutive matches to lift her maiden WTA Finals title last Saturday. She defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6(0) in the summit clash to win her biggest title since the 2022 Wimbledon.

The Kazakh told the WTA that she would first receive treatment for a health issue in Europe and then meet her family. Fans were wondering why no one from her family was there with Rybakina in Riyadh for the year-end event. Her sister Anna is a regular face in the players' box, but she was also missing.

"I’m going to spend a couple of days in Europe, different cities. Mostly for the health, some tests. I’ve been having some [illness] issues that went away and are coming back. And then I’ll see my family. Since I live in Dubai, there are good places to train. So I think I’m going to stay there, in one place. Looking forward to a rest," Rybakina said.

#5. Naomi Osaka, Paula Badosa reflect on the 2025 season

Naomi Osaka, who had won all four of her Grand Slam titles by February 2021, welcomed her daughter, Shai, in July 2023. Her performance was significantly affected upon return, and the Japanese star is still trying to find her groove.

She started the 2025 season by reaching the WTA 250 ASB Classic. However, injuries once again derailed her progress. Osaka stormed into the Canadian Open final in August, only to lose to Victoria Mboko. On Sunday, she penned a heartening message on Instagram as she reflected on the season.

“Took me a while to get my thoughts together but here's my end of year recap for 2025. When I sit and think about it I just feel very thankful for this year. I'm thankful for my health and being able to wake up each day ready to chase my dreams. I'm also grateful for being able to travel and see the world with my daughter," Osaka wrote. “I’m so honored that I have such amazing people that support me. I always say this but I really mean it each time, I don't know what I did to deserve all this love and support but thank you infinitely for it. I will never be able to pay you back but I'll try my best! See you guys next year,” she added.

Paula Badosa, on the other hand, achieved her best result at a Major by reaching the 2025 Australian Open semifinals. After her first-round exit at Wimbledon, she picked up a back injury and played no more than two matches before concluding her season.

On Sunday, the Spaniard turned philosophical, as she wrote on Instagram:

“Sometimes life shakes us so hard that we think we won't be able to get up. We go through moments when the soul breaks in silence, where doubts weigh more than hope, and where the inner noise lets nothing be heard. But it's right there, in that void, where something sacred begins: the reunion with oneself.”

She added:

“There comes a time when you understand you don't need anything external to feel complete. That serenity is born when you stop looking outside what was always inside. And that's when everything changes: what used to hurt, now teaches; what used to weigh, now drives. Because when you heal, you not only free yourself from the past, you reconcile with life."

Edited by Parag Jain