Novak Djokovic would be the solely Fab 4 member nonetheless energetic on the skilled tour subsequent 12 months. 2024 marked the tip of an period, after Roger Federer had already left tennis in 2022. This 12 months’s Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal introduced their retirement, who will play the final occasion of his legendary profession on the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga subsequent month.
The Serbian ace continues to be aggressive at very excessive ranges, however he has radically modified his schedule on this final a part of his profession. The previous world number one is now not motivated to play the Masters 1000 and the Nitto ATP Finals, betting on Grand Slam tournaments and occasions the place he can symbolize his nation.
The 37-year-old from Belgrade – who has not received a single title this 12 months apart from the Paris Olympics – determined to overlook the Paris-Bercy Masters 1000 subsequent week. In line with the newest rumors, the 24-time Grand Slam champion is probably not current on the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin even when he qualifies.
After the disappointing outcome on the US Open, Novak reached the ultimate on the Masters 1000 in Shanghai after which performed the ‘Six Kings Slam’ final week. Serbian legend was defeated by Jannik Sinner in Saudi Arabia, earlier than beating his everlasting rival Rafael Nadal within the last for third and fourth place.
New motivations
Many followers and insiders suppose it is not going to be straightforward for Nole to remain motivated with out his everlasting rivals. The previous world number one has proven some indicators of decline this season, particularly in second tier tournaments. With the upcoming retirement of Nadal, the Large 3’s wonderful rivalry ends with precisely 150 matches performed (Nadal vs. Federer – 40 matches; Federer vs. Djokovic – 50 matches; Djokovic vs. Nadal – 60 matches).
Throughout an extended interview with ‘La Nacion’, Nole mirrored on his iconic rivalry with Roger and Rafa: “I see it as one of many best rivalries undoubtedly in all of the sports activities and I’m very proud and honored to be a part of this group. And I used to be saying this quite a bit as a result of they’re older than me, Rafa is older one 12 months and Roger six years. So, they’ve undoubtedly been, when it comes to the rivals, when it comes to different gamers, the most important affect on my recreation, on my growth as knowledgeable tennis participant.”
He continued: “My childhood dream was to win Wimbledon and be No 1 on this planet. I achieved these desires in 2011 in Wimbledon. However my first Grand Slam got here in 2008 in Australian Open. And that was the primary time after I received it that I actually believed that, ‘Okay, now I do know that I can win Grand Slams and obtain my potential.’ That actually opened the door for me like this and I felt like ‘Okay, I’m able to doing this, now let’s proceed going ahead’.
I might win possibly one or two matches right here and there however large matches, I used to be not profitable. So these three years have been actually essential for my growth. It made me much more hungry to significantly win in opposition to the 2 of them. I knew if I, in fact, proceed my normal progress as a participant, but when I determine the best way to beat these guys within the large matches and I knew that quite a lot of it comes from right here (head), that I might form of resolve the riddle of Grand Slam for me. I might win extra Grand Slams and that’s what occurred.”
Is Nole’s season over?
Novak’s subsequent large purpose – which could possibly be the final of his epic profession – might be to win his twenty fifth Grand Slam title by lastly breaking Margaret Court docket into all-time standings. Djokovic might be one of many prime favorites at subsequent January’s Australian Open, a event during which he has raised the trophy ten occasions.
The Serbian might be nearly an underdog within the subsequent version, since all of the lights might be on Sinner and Alcaraz. The 37-year-old from Belgrade has a really particular feeling for Melbourne Park and has nearly all the time performed his greatest tennis there. One other milestone that Novak might obtain subsequent 12 months is to win his one centesimal title, after failing to take action within the last of the Masters 1000 in Shanghai.
Talking with Eurosport, Mats Wilander commented on Djokovic’s present standing: “Can he, although, do nicely within the Grand Slams with out taking part in that many tournaments? Can he do nicely within the Grand Slams if he goes to Shanghai with any feeling that this isn’t essential? As a result of in some unspecified time in the future when he begins shedding to guys which can be one, two or three on this planet, but in addition guys which can be 10 to twenty on this planet, his confidence may be affected, and the opposite guys’ confidence goes to develop.”
