We are living in the golden era of sports, where our favourite athletes might not stop the inevitable march of time, but they are doing everything in their power to delay the eventual degradation of their athletic power. Gone are the days when elite athletes would start planning their retirement as soon as they entered their 30s. Stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lebron James would say they have just begun, with their prime years not past but ahead of them. We look at nine such active athletes who are defying age in 2025. 

From Cristiano Ronaldo to Virat Kohli: Athletes Who Are Defying Their Ages 

Novak Djokovic 

Novak Djokovic, at 37, continues to be the mainstay in the higher echelons of tennis, showing an immense blend of skill and resilience to thwart the younger crops of the players. In the Australian Open quarter-final, Djokovic put up a great display of his physical prowess to deflate Carlos Alcaraz. In 2024, he finally won his elusive gold medal at the Olympics. Djokovic's longevity stems from his meticulous approach to fitness—yoga, stretching, and a plant-based diet keep him agile and injury-free. 

Rohit Sharma 

Rohit Sharma, now 38, continues to lead the Indian cricket team in Tests and ODIs. Although there have been some doubts over his poor form, Rohit shut up the noise with a blistering century in the recently concluded series against England. Sharma might not be the fittest guy in the team, but he's just as functional as anyone else, even those with ripped abs and toned muscles, on the field. His leadership shone in the 2024 T20 World Cup where he led India to their second-ever championship. 

Faf du Plessis 

At 40 in 2025, Faf du Plessis remains a force in T20 cricket, proving that age is not a barrier to excellence, if you put in enough hours to maintain your physique. He was leading Royal Challengers Bangalore till last season and will be playing for Delhi Capitals in the upcoming season. 

In 2024, he captained Joburg Super Kings in the SA T20 to success, blending aggressive batting with sharp fielding. 

Lebron James 

There's nothing that speaks louder than the longevity of Lebron James than the fact that he became the first NBA player to share the court with his son, Bronnie. With over two decades of experience in the league, Lebron continues to defy physical limits with his sustained excellence. James invests heavily in his body, spending millions on his training, nutrition, and recovery of course, which allows him to be a competitive force in the NBA. 

Lewis Hamilton 

At an age where drivers settle into the comfort of retirement, Lewis Hamilton signed a massive contract with Ferrari, chasing his 8th F1 championship. Lewis Hamilton's fitness regime, which includes a vegan diet, rigorous cardio workouts, and strong mental focus, allows him to remain competitive against younger drivers. His wealth of experience enhances his racecraft, enabling him to make swift decisions that often outpace his rivals. 

Cristiano Ronaldo 

Cristiano Ronaldo turned 40 earlier this month, yet you couldn't trace a semblance of weariness or complacency on his physique. He is sharp as ever, still carrying the same hunger to score goals that once made him a global icon. Ronaldo recently extended his contract at Al-Nassr and is keeping him in shape and rhythm to play another World Cup for Portugal, in 2026. Too ambitious? Maybe, but doubt him at your peril. 

Lionel Messi 

Lionel Messi continues to dazzle for Inter Miami and Argentina, not letting the growing age dim his excellence even a bit. After guiding Argentina to the 2022 World Cup, he led his national side to Copa America glory in 2024. Messi has masterfully improvised his game to suit his age, relying less on breathtaking pace and dribbling and more on vision and technique. The easy schedule of MLS allows him ample rest, so don't be surprised if you see him leading his national team in the next edition of the World Cup. 

Virat Kohli 

After Virat Kohli scored a match-winning century against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy, the broadcaster asked him how he feels about the seven-day break before he plays next. Kohli was quick to say it's important because he is 36, and not in his 20s. However, you would be forgiven for assuming Kohli's still in his 20s given his sharp physique and the agility he shows on the field. 

Rohan Bopanna 

Last year, Indian tennis legend Rohan Bopanna won the prestigious Australian Open doubles titles, and became the oldest No. 1 in ATP doubles rankings. Bopanna's serve and net play, honed through years of experience, helps offset his decreased mobility, with yoga helping him maintain knee functionality despite the absence of a cartilage.