Ireland's Davis Cup captain, Conor Niland, knows how it feels to compete against Novak Djokovic on the notable scene. Two rivals met at Arthur Ashe Stadium in 2011, and Niland retired in the closing stages of the second set.
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Conor discussed Novak's chances in 2025, backing him to chase another Major trophy in the upcoming season. While the Irish sees the Serb as a contender at all four Majors next year, he emphasizes it will be challenging to topple Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Niland is confident in Djokovic's ability to fight hard against young guns, as he showed at the Olympic Games in Paris. However, he does not see Novak as a threat at Majors after 2025, with his age and knee issue taking their toll.
Novak's 2024 Major run
The Serb claimed three Major titles from four finals in 2023, cementing his GOAT status. However, Djokovic could not repeat that this season, suffering three losses and withdrawing ahead of the Roland Garros quarter-final. Novak fell to Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semi-final.
The ten-time champion failed to create a break chance for the first time in completed matches at Majors, feeling the pressure and falling in four sets. Djokovic felt the pain in his knee at Roland Garros. He survived five-setters against Lorenzo Musetti and Francisco Cerundolo for a place in the last eight.
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However, the defending champion withdrew ahead of the quarter-final clash with Casper Ruud, undergoing surgery and hoping to recover by Wimbledon. Novak proved his incredible physical and mental strength once again, overcoming all the obstacles and reaching the title clash.
Like a year ago, Djokovic fell to Carlos Alcaraz, this time in straight sets. The Spaniard dominated the opening two sets and sealed the deal in the tie break of the third set to defend the crown and keep the Serb on 24 Major trophies. Novak did not feel motivated at the US Open following the Olympic Games gold medal.
The four-time champion could not defend the title, falling to Alexei Popyrin in the third round. Thus, he missed a Major trophy in a season fo the first time since 2017.
Djokovic's memorable path to Olympic Games glory
Novak threw everything at the Olympic Games in Paris, chasing the last notable title missing in his collection. Djokovic gathered a boost at Wimbledon and played well in Paris, beating six rivals in straight sets en route to a historicgold medal.
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The veteran passed Rafael Nadal in the second round before feelingthe pain in his troubled knee against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarter-final. Novak roseabove the problems and performed a comeback in the second set, sealing the deal and preserving energy.
He ousted Lorenzo Musetti in the semi-final and set the title clash against Carlos Alcaraz. Two great rivals pushed each other to the limits for two hours and 52 minutes, and Djokovic prevailed 7-6, 7-6 after a thriller. They denied all 14 break points and battled hard from start to finish.
The Serb had the upper hand in both tie breaks, playing confidentlyand earning the elusive gold medal that defined his season.
Novak faces Conor Niland at the 2011 US Open
Thirteen years ago, Djokovic entered his first Major as world no. 1 in New York. Novak faced Conor Niland in the first round and led 6-0, 5-1 before the Irish player retired due to stomach issues. Djokovic dominated the serve and return at Arthur Ashe Stadium, taking 11 of the opening 12 games.
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They fought for 44 minutes before world no. 197 retired and propelled the favorite through.Niland passed the qualifying stage but had nothing left in the tank for such a strong opponent. Conor took only 14points, earning one game in the second set before ending his campaign.
Novak lost six points in his games and took 22 of 30 return points, delivering five breaks from six chances. Djokovic earned a break in the second game of the match after Niland's smash error and held in the next one with an ace. Novak grabbed another break in the fourth game for 4-0.
World no. 1 made another push on the return in the sixth game, taking a 15-shot exchange and serving a bagel in 21 minutes. Conor finally held in the second game of the second set, leveling the score at 1-1. Djokovic landed a forehand crosscourt winner for a hold at love in the third game.
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The Serb painted a forehand winner in the next one, earning a break at love and opening a 3-1 gap. Novak produced another hold at love for 4-1 and fired a backhand return winner in the next one, rattling off 16 points and moving 5-1 in front. Niland retired ahead of the seventh game, propelling Djokovic through.
"Novak can win another Major title. I see him competitive at all four Majors next year. It will be more challenging for him to chase notable titles after 2025, but he showed at the Olympic Games that he can still beat the rivals from the top. We have witnessed signs of Novak slowing down, which is understandable at his age and after knee issues. He can go all the way at some Major next year, but it will take a lot of work to stop Sinner and Alcaraz. Novak can match them, but it's getting tougher every year. Things have flipped in men's tennis, and Novak has to show he can challenge the younger players at Majors," Conor Niland said.
