Novak Djokovic remained hungry and motivated even after successful every part in his sport. The previous world No. 1 accomplished the puzzle simply this 12 months, lastly successful the gold medal on the Paris Olympics after chasing that purpose all through his profession.
The Serbian legend can also be a supply of inspiration for athletes in different disciplines and has promised that he’ll proceed to play tennis so long as he’s aggressive on the highest stage. The primary indicators of wear and tear and tear had been felt on Nole’s physique, who needed to bear knee surgical procedure through the spring and didn’t win a single title in 2024 (aside from the gold medal on the Olympics).
The 37-year-old from Belgrade struggles to maintain up with the tempo of two younger champions like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who’ve ousted him from the throne and turn out to be the brand new references of the boys’s tour. The Italian and the Spaniard have equally divided the 4 Grand Slam tournaments performed this 12 months, whereas Novak needed to accept a secondary position by shedding the ultimate of the Wimbledon Championships for the second 12 months in a row (he misplaced to Carlitos Alcaraz in 2023 and 2024).
Novak Djokovic, ATP Finals 2023© Stream screenshot
Nevertheless, the 24-time Grand Slam champion has no intention of giving up and has made a really stunning determination forward of subsequent season. Just a few days in the past, Djokovic introduced that his buddy and former rival Andy Murray might be his coach on the 2025 Australian Open. A really stunning alternative, contemplating that the previous British champion has no expertise as a coach and stopped taking part in just a few months in the past.
The previous world No. 1 needs to do every part he can to win the twenty fifth Grand Slam title of his legendary profession and hopes {that a} legend like Andy might help him. The three-time Grand Slam champion is aware of tennis very nicely, has at all times been very expert from a tactical viewpoint and has confronted all of Nole’s present opponents.
Murray will attempt to suggest new options to defeat his rivals, however his presence won’t be too cumbersome within the workforce and he shouldn’t journey for a lot of weeks a 12 months. This alternative demonstrates Novak’s willingness to proceed taking part in for a very long time and to wish to struggle to make tennis historical past as soon as once more.
A mannequin for everybody
In an extended interview with ‘Tennis365’, wheelchair tennis legend Alfie Hewett paid tribute to Djokovic: “I take a lot of inspiration from Novak. Especially his gold medal win at the Olympics this year.
I watched all of it because maybe I can relate to it as my next big ambition is to get a gold medal in singles. That’s three years down the line, so I won’t worry about it for now, but to see him achieve that was amazing.
His perseverance and his attitude to his tennis is incredible and that’s obviously the case for Federer and Nadal as well.
Their attitude and styles are different, but the one thing they all have is incredible belief and determination in what they do. And they keep coming back for more.
Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Andy Murray were the epitome of trying to raise the bar year after year and no matter who won what, they always come back stronger. That aspect of it, I find it truly remarkable.
Tennis is all about mindsets and as we are seeing with Jannik Sinner now, he is so good on crucial points in matches. I look at that and think it’s something I could work on.”
Nole could be very hungry
The 24-time Grand Slam champion will play an exhibition match with 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro in Buenos Aires on Sunday after which start his preparation for 2025. As he had already performed in 2023 – when he performed the Adelaide match – Novak will take part in an official match earlier than the Pleased Slam which begins in mid-January.
Novak Djokovic, Belgrade Open 2024© Stream screenshot
The Serbian might be a menace to everybody in Melbourne, the place he wrote memorable pages of tennis historical past along with his 10 triumphs. The present world quantity 7 has shocked the world many occasions and doesn’t intend to cease till he feels he has the precise motivation. Regardless of struggling in 2024, the 37-year-old from Belgrade confided that tennis remains to be his precedence and no opponent can afford to underestimate him.
If he had been to win his twenty fifth Main title and his one hundredth profession title in 2025, Novak might additionally take into account retiring on the finish of the season. This summer time – after successful the gold medal in Paris – the Serbian ace had promised that he would proceed till the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, when he might be 41 years outdated.
