Novak Djokovic is enjoying a rest period after the end of the 2024 season, in which he experienced different moments than he was used to. The former world No. 1 is certainly proud to have won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, having chased this dream throughout his career, but in the rest of the year he did not achieve the results he would have liked.
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The Serbian legend has not won a single title this season, has lost both finals played (at Wimbledon and Shanghai) and has repeatedly given the feeling of no longer finding the right motivation in second-tier tournaments. The 24-time Grand Slam champion has seen the first signs of decline at almost 38 years old and fans have begun to wonder if he is still capable of winning major titles. Novak will answer this question in 2025, which could be his last year at the highest level.
The 37-year-old from Belgrade will be one of the favorites at the next Australian Open, for which he will prepare with great dedication by also playing a tournament in the first week of January. Nole's focus will be totally directed towards the Grand Slam tournaments and the Davis Cup, to try to replicate the historic triumph obtained in 2011.
Nole wasn'tin Malaga
Djokovic should have been at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga to pay tribute to his eternal rival Rafael Nadal, with whom he created one of the most iconic rivalries in tennis history. Their last official match was at the Paris Olympics this summer, won by Nole in two sets. Novaks arrival in Malaga was scheduled for Friday, but the premature elimination of Spain surprised everyone and Rafas farewell ceremony was much sadder than expected.
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In a recent interview with the official ATP website, Nole selected his favorite match against Nadal: We had plenty of great matches. The one that comes to my mind right now, its the finals of Miami, in 2011.
I think we went the distance, 7-6 in the third set. It was not the only match that went the distance.
Djokovic will face Delpo in Baires
The 24-time Grand Slam champion will play an exhibition with Juan Martin del Potro in Buenos Aires on December 1st. As everyone knows, Delpo had to end his career sooner than expected due to injuries. The 2009 US Open champion has tried his best to return to high-level play, but his body has sent him very clear signals.
His latest knee injury was decisive in convincing him to end a career that could have been even more glorious.
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Speaking with La Nacion a few days ago, Juan Martin opened up on his upcoming exhibition with Nole: "One day in Miami, he called me and said, Delpo, I know youre here, I want to go to dinner together to talk.
He said to me, Well, lets get to the point. Is it true that you want to say goodbye, to play a match in Argentina?
Count on me for whatever I can help you with. I have the Olympic Games, I have Saudi Arabia, tournaments, my familybut somehow I will accompany you in your last moment on the court."
The 37-year-old from Belgrade has revealed that he will be playing a tournament in 2025 before the Australian Open and his pick could fall on the Brisbane ATP 250. The 24-time Grand Slam champion has realized that he needs more matches to get back in great shape and will opt for a different schedule than in recent years. Novak seemed to be struggling at the 2024 Australian Open, struggling more than expected to reach the semi-finals and playing a truly bad match against Sinner in Melbourne.
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Djokovic doesnt have to prove anything at this stage of his career, he has won everything and broke every record. The Serbian is already the best player in tennis history, but he is still hungry and does not want to give up until he feels competitive.
When he seemed to be in trouble during his career, the former world number 1 worked even harder to find new solutions and defeat his opponents. Sinner and Alcaraz are much younger than him and it will not be easy to defeat them in 2025, but a legend of the caliber of Djokovic can never be underestimated.
During an interview with CLAY, former ATP ace Diego Hartfield selected Nole as the GOAT: "The number of titles is what defines. I think there is no doubt, and the vast majority of the titles, Djokovic won them competing against Nadal and Federer. Federer, in his early years, had much less stiff competition.
