2014 French Open semifinalist Andrea Petkovic and former five-time Grand Slam doubles champion Rennae Stubbs assume there are positively double requirements concerned in how Novak Djokovic will get handled for enjoying so little in 2024 as they imagine Serena Williams could be bashed and that may be used to make unfavorable narratives about girls’s tennis.
This previous season, the 37-year-old appeared in simply 12 tournaments and had probably the most restricted schedule of his profession, contemplating that the one damage he battled was the one sustained on the French Open. All year long, the Serb was fixating his schedule and that resulted in him lacking a number of the largest occasions – he did not play on the Masters occasions in Miami, Madrid, Montreal, Cincinnati, Paris, in addition to the ATP Finals.
For some, it wasn’t shocking as a result of Djokovic did not disguise that his fundamental focus and objective was to be at his finest on the Paris Olympics. And ultimately, he succeeded in that objective – received his first Olympic gold medal in Paris – and accomplished his resume. Nevertheless, it was his first and lone title of the yr.
After the Paris Olympics which led to early August, the world No. 7 performed simply two tournaments on the principle stage – the US Open and the Shanghai Masters.
“Just to think about Serena doing the same thing, only 12 events. Imagine, put yourself in the same situation, Serena only playing 12 events, not winning a title for the first time and forever and winning the gold medal but it doesn’t count into the ranking points of the ATP Tour and she makes to WTA Finals. What do you think the media would say?” Petkovic mentioned on the Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast.
The Australian tennis legend added: “They would be losing their mind,” earlier than the previous German tennis star continued: “They would call out women’s tennis, ‘How can Serena make it?’ and so on. So that’s all I am saying.”
Andrea Petkovic© YouTube screenshot
Djokovic was brutally trustworthy about his schedule and plans
After the US Open exit, Djokovic very overtly indicated that he may very simply miss the Paris Masters and in addition the season-ending event. And never solely that, the 37-year-old hinted that having a 2024-like schedule in 2025 was additionally an enormous chance.
“Torino isn’t my objective in any respect, to be trustworthy, I’m not chasing ATP Finals, I’m not chasing the rankings. So far as I’m involved, I’m finished with these tournaments for my profession. Whether or not I’ll play in different tournaments this yr or sooner or later, I can’t say proper now. My fundamental priorities are enjoying for Serbia and Slams, every little thing else is much less necessary,” Djokovic told Serbian reporters in mid-September.
“After that [Shanghai], I am going to see what I am going to do. Usually in my career I used to have my schedule ready six months in advance, but nowadays that’s not the case, now it’s more spontaneous. Firstly, I need to physically, emotionally and mentally rest in order to even start thinking what I want to do next, in what way, how much and where.”
Djokovic© Djokovic Fb/Truthful Use
Djokovic confirmed he was severe in his intentions
After ending as runner-up to Jannik Sinner within the Shanghai Masters remaining in mid-October, the Serbian tennis star introduced in late October that he wouldn’t defend his title on the Paris Masters with out providing a lot rationalization.
10 days later, Djokovic confirmed the identical choice relating to the ATP Finals. However this time, he claimed there was an damage that compelled him to take action.
“I was really looking forward to being there, but due to ongoing injury I won’t be playing next week. Apologies to those who were planning to see me. Wishing all the players a great tournament. See you soon!” he wrote on Instagram on the time.
Nevertheless, not enjoying a lot in 2024 doesn’t suggest that the document 24-time Grand Slam champion is not severe about tennis anymore.
“Tennis is still my focus! I am going at full throttle in the off-season, we go for another ride. I just needed to recharge and refresh a bit after an exhausting year. I told you guys that a million times. The Slams of course, and I would like to play the Davis Cup as well, we’ll see what happens with that,” Djokovic highlighted in Belgrade earlier this month.
In the meantime, the Serb dropped a bomshell final week when he revealed that he could be accompanied by Andy Murray throughout the 2025 Australian Open.
