UNIVERSITY PARK -- Dirk Nowitzki is approaching his 20th season with the Mavericks the same way he's approached all the others.

He's just hoping for a little more good fortune than he had last season.

Nowitzki, who hosted his annual pro-celebrity tennis classic Saturday at SMU, said he wouldn't be so fast to call this coming season a victory lap for him. He knows the end is near for his career. But all those people who are paying an average of over $1,300 for tickets to that last game of the season against Phoenix thinking it will be his farewell -- they might want to reconsider.

Nowitzki said he's made no decision about his future, which is completely dependent on his health.

Dallas Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki, left, and his wife Jessica Nowitzki with their children during the 2nd annual Dirk Nowitzki Pro Celebrity Tennis Classic at the SMU Tennis Center in Dallas, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017. Ben Torres/Special Contributor (Ben Torres / Special Contributor)

"If I miss another 30 to 40 games in a row, then obviously, it's not meant to be," he said. "But if I can stay sort of healthy like I did at the end of the season, when I thought I moved OK and had some good games, then maybe we'll do two more [seasons]. But we'll see how it goes."

In talking to Nowitzki, there is little doubt that his excitement meter about the upcoming season is flickering toward the red. After a summer of extensive traveling, he's been back in town for a month and has been doing everything he can to make sure he's as healthy as possible headed into the season.

Last year, he felt great going in and then he felt a twinge in his right Achilles. He spent the next two months recovering and by then, the Mavericks' season was a goner. This year, a faster start than 3-17 is a top priority. And that probably doesn't happen without a healthy Nowitzki.

"It's been a long summer, way too long," he said. "I've been busting my butt trying to get ready, get in game shape. I've progressed well, and I'm looking forward to camp and play some of those new guys. ...

"I don't anticipate any problems, but you know, at 39, I guess anything is possible."

Nowitzki also isn't quite certain what role he will play this season. He's still a high-caliber scorer and defenses must pay attention to him on the perimeter.

However, he understands his liabilities on defense and is cognizant of how he will mesh with a lot of younger talent now on the roster. And there is no shortage of big men who will be angling for playing time.

"I have no idea, really," he said of his role. "Obviously, we're pleased to have Nerlens [Noel] back at the five with his athleticism. We got a lot of bigs now, with [Josh] McRoberts hopefully healthy and playing, and Jeff Withey, who showed he can play and he's more athletic than you think. And Salah [Mejri] wants his minutes as a shot blocker.

"And I still think the game is going smaller. Harrison [Barnes] is going to see a lot of minutes at the four."

Camp opens on Sept. 25. The Mavericks have six preseason games. The regular season starts Oct. 18. Even after 20 years, it's still an exciting time for the greatest Maverick of them all.

Net assets: The tennis classic was a huge success on Saturday -- and Friday night, when a fundraiser and auction piled up lots of proceeds, all of which will go to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

The tennis event, which featured actor Owen Wilson, pros Andy Roddick, Tommy Haas and others, and J.J. Barea in addition to Nowitzki, sold out and was selling standing-room tickets only about an hour before it began.