Yesterday afternoon, it was formally announced that Novak Djokovic will not participate in the Masters 1000 in Paris-Bercy. The former world number 1 will not defend the title won last year in the French capital and will miss the last edition of the tournament that will take place in the current Bercy arena, as the event will change venue from 2025.
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The 24-time Grand Slam champion has always had a special 'relationship' withthis tournament (he won six times in Bercy), but his priorities have changed at this point of his career. In September - during the Davis Cup tie against Greece - the Serbian legend admitted that his main goals before retirement would be the Grand Slam tournaments and events where he could represent his country.
The 37-year-old from Belgrade also confided that the race to the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin was no longer a goal for him and he had not ruled out closing early on his 2024. Novak is currently qualifying for the Finals, but his decision to skip the last Masters 1000 of the season could complicate his plans.
It is not excluded that the season of Nole may already be concluded. Djokovic is looking forward to 2025, when he will be looking for the 25th Major title of his extraordinary career. It wont be easy for the former world number 1 to add another Grand Slam title to his board. The rise of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner has made things more complicated for the 38-year-old Serb in 2025.
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No player has ever won a Major title at that age, but Novak will try to achieve yet another feat of an almost unrepeatable career. The 37-year-old from Belgrade needs to be motivated to shine at big events and loves spending more time with his family in this last part of his career.
Jelena Ristic on Nole
During a long interview with La Nacion, Jelena Ristic the Serbians wife talked about Djokovics career and legacy: "For me, it has been a fairy tale. I could not have imagined all this; it was an impossible dream, something he envisioned as a child. The truth is there were very few people in his path to help him, but he was always a mental giant. I think he found a purpose in this; he wasn't seeking material numbers, he found something more. That's why he could achieve much more than anyone expected.
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I have seen many people inspired by his story because they are similar to him. So, tennis is a very luxurious sport, but Novak's fans are normal people with normal jobs. When you walk down the street, you see everyone stopping him; it gives him a lot of power and energy to keep going. Even though he has achieved everything, I believe his greatest victory is being the champion of the people."
She also explained her role in the team: "I now travel less due to the children; there are many tournaments, and Novak's career is ongoing. He is now selecting the right places to go, which is not my concern. He will do what he wants for as long as he wants. The kids love what he does, and I support him; we are very proud of him. In fact, if we can help him stay longer, we will."
The last of the Fab Four
In 2025, Djokovic will be the only member of the Fab Four still active on the professional tour. Roger Federer and Andy Murray retired in 2022 and 2024 respectively, while Rafael Nadal will be leaving the tour for the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next month. During the 'Six Kings Slam' in Saudi Arabia, the 24-time Grand Slam champion had time to engage in various activities and also revealed some interesting details about his life outside of tennis.
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In a long interview with La Nacion, the Serbian legend revealed that he is terrified by some memories of his childhood: Its the fear of the unknown. Not knowing if the next bomb is going to hit your head, said Djokovic, as he reflected on his earliest memories. And so it was every day, the alarms, the sirens that woke us up every night when the planes were approaching.
I remember my mother one night because youre sleeping and in the middle of the night you wake up because you hear the siren and you have to grab a bag and go down to the basement of the building to try to take shelter. The first time it happened, my mother got up in the dark because we all slept together, we didnt know what was going to happen and we cried every night and she hit her head against the heater and was knocked unconscious. So its 3am and my father has his wife unconscious. I was 12 years old, and my younger brothers, 8 and 4, were crying. There was total panic, but its an experience that strengthened us as a family, as people.
