Times of India asks if Novak Djokovic should follow Lionel Messi and retire

Novak Djokovic and Lionel Messi were the subject of a Times of India article published on September 1, 2026 that asked whether Djokovic should take a leaf from Messi and retire.

The article said both came from impoverished backgrounds, were born in the same year 33 days apart, and became the greatest ever to play their respective sports.

It added that both chased dreams with families who bet their futures on them, had similarly close paternal relationships and left home early to train.

The piece also stated Messi needed growth hormones, while Djokovic switched his diet and conditioning to produce extraordinary endurance hitherto unseen in tennis.