At 41, Pankaj Advani Cites Djokovic as Inspiration After 29th World Title

Pankaj Advani, widely regarded as one of India's greatest cue sports exponents, has attributed his continued drive to achieve at the highest level to the example set by tennis icon Novak Djokovic. Fresh from claiming his 29th world title, Advani reflected on how Djokovic's longevity and competitive hunger at an age when most athletes have retired serves as a personal motivation.

The billiards and snooker maestro, now 41 years old, has shown no signs of slowing down despite an already legendary career spanning decades. Advani's latest world championship adds to an impressive tally that has established him as one of Asia's most decorated sports personalities across both billiards and snooker disciplines.

Advani's admiration for Djokovic appears rooted in the Serbian tennis champion's ability to maintain elite performance levels well into his 40s, defying conventional expectations about athletic longevity. The Indian cue sports champion views such sustained excellence as a blueprint for his own career trajectory, demonstrating that age need not be a barrier to pursuing world-class competition.

With 29 world titles to his name, Advani has consistently raised the bar in cue sports on the global stage, bringing significant recognition to Indian excellence in disciplines that have historically been dominated by other nations. His recent achievement underscores his continued relevance and competitive prowess in international cue sports.

Photo: Pankaj Advani with the World Billiards Championship trophy, October 2026. BennyOnTheLoose via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).