Novak Djokovic is living the last years of his legendary career and is struggling to find the right motivation to continue competing at the highest levels. The former world number 1 did not win an ATP title this season and was not brilliant in the Grand Slam tournaments, reaching the final only at the Wimbledon Championships (lost to Carlos Alcaraz for the second year in a row).
The Serbian legend has fulfilled his dream of winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, a truly memorable feat that has certified his status as a living legend. Novak gave his best in the Olympic tournament and showed an impeccable performance in the final against Alcaraz, who was considered the big favourite by the bookmakers on his favorite surface.
Novak Djokovic, 2023 ATP Finals© Stream screenshot
The 24-time Grand Slam champion made a huge effort in Paris and did not make it to the US Open on top of his game, also due to some physical problems. His run in New York ended already in the third round against a great Alexei Popyrin, who had put him in trouble this year at the Australian Open and the Wimbledon Championships.
The feeling is that the 37-year-old from Belgrade is very vulnerable at this point in his career and opponents are playing with more courage against him. 2025 will be crucial to see if Nole is still able to stay at the top of the ATP tour. After helping Serbia in the Davis Cup, Djokovic admitted that the ATP Finals are not his goal at this stage of his career.
Nole will play various exhibitions
The former world number 1 will surely play in the Shanghai Masters 1000, while he will be engaged in several exhibitions. The 24-time Grand Slam champion will play with Grigor Dimitrov and Juan Martin del Potro, as well as participate in the ‘Six Kings Slam’ in Saudi Arabia.
Djokovic plans to continue playing tennis for several more years, but his annual schedule will undergo several changes compared to what he had accustomed during his career. The Serbian top-ranked player has shown his desire to devote more time to his Serbia and the Slam, leaving aside tournaments that have given him so many satisfactions such as the ATP Finals, but especially the ATP ranking.
The 24-time Slam champion will remain on the circuit, but on his terms: “I don’t know when I’ll play after the Shanghai Masters 1000, my priority is only the Slam and the National matches. The ATP Finals and being at the top of the leaderboard are no longer goals for me. I don’t know if I will play the finals this year or next, but what I need most now is physical, mental and emotional rest to decide what are my career prospects, how much I want to play again and where,” he revealed.
What is certain is that the former number one will take part in a performance match tomorrow in Sofia against home player Grigor Dimitrov. A commitment that Nole had taken for some time with the Bulgarian tennis player: “I took it especially for the guys I will play with. Grigor came to Serbia to play in the Adria Tour exhibition a few years ago. And we said that I would come to play in Bulgaria. The time has come and, to be honest, I’m very happy. I have never played in Bulgaria, a country with which we are culturally close,” he said.
Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin del Potro© Juan Martin del Potro/Instagram – Fair Use
But this will not be the only exhibition match. The Serbian has already announced that he will be alongside Juan Martin del Potro in his last match as a professional player: “We all know the impact it has had on tennis. He has been one of the most exciting players in the last two decades. He has charisma, character and is adorable. We have seen so much support for him all over the world and especially in his country, Argentina. Playing this farewell match will be a phenomenal experience”. The date to mark in the calendar is 1st December in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Djokovic is a living legend
Novak is certainly one of the best athletes of the modern era and has become as renowned as the GOAT by many experts. The Serbian legend holds almost all records in men’s tennis, including the record for most Grand Slam titles and weeks at the top of the ATP ranking.
Novak Djokovic, Davis Cup 2024© Stream screenshot
Djokovic has been the protagonist of a memorable rivalry with Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer. Speaking with RTS, Nole paid tribute to Rafa: “Every time you step on that court with him, he is the favourite. Even at the Olympics, he had injury problems, I was in better shape, but still, you know it is the highest mountain to climb. He is the greatest, maybe the only reason why I don’t have more Roland Garros titles. Every win against him there is worth twice as much.”