Novak Djokovic withdrew from the ATP Finals in Turin, opting to stay home in Belgrade and enjoy with his family and friends. However, the 24-time Major winner plans to work at full strength during the off-season and prepare for another ride in 2025. Novak revealed he will compete in the opening week of the new season, although he is still unsure where. Many have questioned Djokovic's motivation following the success at the Olympic Games and predicted his retirement. However, the greatest player of all time is ready to extend his incredible tennis journey and chase notable titles in the upcoming years.
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Novak's options at the beginning of 2025
Djokovic decided to skip the United Cup. Thus, if he wants to compete in the opening week of 2025, he can choose between Hong Kong and Brisbane, with the latter option sounding like a better option ahead of the first week of the season.
Djokovic's only Brisbane campaign
Novak's only appearance in Brisbane came in 2009. The Serb faced his good friend Ernests Gulbis in the first round and suffered a 6-4, 6-4 defeat in an hour and a half. It was Novak's earliest loss since Miami in March 2008, struggling to find his A-game and hitting the exit door. Gulbis claimed 12 points more than Djokovic and saved two of four break points. The Serb served at only 48% and struggled to impose his strokes. He faced 13 break points and suffered four breaks to end his campaign on the first obstacle.
Novak played inconsistent tennis at Pat Rafter Arena on the newly-built Queensland Tennis Centre. He changed his racquet during the off-season and needed more time to find a sweet spot with the new one. Ernests secured a break at 2-2 in the opening set. The Latvian served well in the remaining games and clinched the opener 6-4. They embraced four consecutive breaks at the beginning of the second set before Djokovic produced holds in games five and seven. However, Gulbis grabbed a break at 4-4 to move in front and held in the next one to seal the deal and beat his good friend for the first time.
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Novak's incredible run in 2023
Despite turning 26 in May 2023, Novak stood as a player to beat in the previous season. He claimed seven ATP titles and secured his eighth year-end no. 1 honor. Novak wrote history books with three Major titles from four finals, leaving Rafael Nadal behind and becoming the most decorated player of all time.
Djokovic's 2024 results and an elusive Olympic Games gold medal
The Serb could not follow that pace in 2024, finishing without Major or Masters 1000 titles but claiming the trophy he desired the most! Novak wrapped up the season behind us with a 37-9 score, losing two notable titles but conquering the Olympic Games gold medal in Paris. Djokovic embraced ten tournaments in 2024, winning the title at the event that did not offer ATP points but still securing his 17th year-end top-10 finish. Novak kicked off the season at the Australian Open, chasing his 11th trophy in Melbourne. The legend reached the semi-final but suffered a heavy loss to Jannik Sinner, missing break chances for the first time in completed matches at Majors and falling in four sets. Djokovic could not find his A-game in Indian Wells, competing in the desert for the first time after five years and losing to the young Italian Luca Nardi.
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After nearly five years, the Serb parted ways with Goran Ivanisevic and failed to improve his form on clay. Casper Ruud ousted him in Monte Carlo, and Djokovic experienced more defeats in Rome and Geneva, heading to Roland Garros with no form. The defending Roland Garros champion could not seek his fourth Parisian trophy, feeling the pain in his right knee and withdrawing after prevailing in two grueling five-setters. Novak underwent surgery on June 5 and wished to recover for Wimbledon and the Olympic Games. The veteran displayed his incredible inner strength, entering Wimbledon with protection on his knee and beating six rivals. Like a year ago, Djokovic fell to Carlos Alcaraz in the title clash, struggling in the opening two sets and allowing his opponent to emerge at the top in the tie break of the third set.
Olympic Games glory and slowing down the engines
Novak threw everything at the Olympic Games in Paris, returning to Roland Garros and chasing the missing title in his outstanding puzzle. Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal in the second round and faced the real test against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarter-final. The Serb struggled with the pain in his troubled knee but sealed the deal in straight sets after a notable turnaround, preserving energy and remaining on the title course. Novak ousted Lorenzo Musetti in the semi-final and arranged the ultimate clash against Carlos Alcaraz.
The Spaniard was the favorite, but the Serb gave everything to change that on the court. The veteransaved all eight break points in the first set and prevailed 7-6, 7-6 after two hours and 52 minutes, becoming the only player with 15 notable trophies on his tally! As was expected, Novak struggled to find motivation in the remaining weeks of the season, falling to Alexei Popyrin at the US Open before battling for his country in the Davis Cup. Djokovic ended his official season in Shanghai, reaching the final and falling to Jannik Sinner in straight sets. Novak traveled to Riyadh for the Six Kings Slam and experienced another defeat to Jannik before beating Rafael Nadal for third place. Djokovic withdrew from the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals, focusing on 2025 and hoping for a good run at notable events.
"I'm still focused on tennis. I will work at full throttle during the off-season and prepare for another ride in 2025. The year was exhausting, and I have to refresh and recharge my batteries. I will compete in the first week of the season; I'm just not sure where. After that, I will focus on the Australian Open," Novak Djokovic said.
