Novak Djokovic wants to alter a number of issues in his recreation if he desires to win one other Grand Slam title earlier than retirement. The previous world #1 remains to be aggressive on the highest degree, however his present degree isn’t sufficient to defeat two younger champions like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in an important tournaments.
The Italian and the Spaniard have raised the bar within the final twelve months, particularly Jannik, who has been actually unstoppable in 2024. Nole had defeated Sinner within the last of the ATP Finals final 12 months, earlier than shedding the final three clashes with the Italian ace.
Novak Djokovic, Roland Garros 2024© Stream screenshot
The 24-time Grand Slam champion didn’t win a single title in 2024 and has begun to point out some indicators of decline, which is totally physiological for a 37-year-old participant. The Serbian legend had the possibility to clinch one other title on the Wimbledon Championships over the summer time, however might do nothing within the last towards an impressive model of Carlitos Alcaraz.
Regardless of a season with extra shadows than lights, the 37-year-old from Belgrade fulfilled his largest dream of triumphing on the Paris Olympics by profitable the gold medal for his nation. Novak had been chasing this purpose all through his profession and his possibilities of attaining this feat appeared to have vanished after the frustration in Tokyo three years in the past.
Some followers and insiders have argued that Djokovic was now not actually motivated after profitable on the Paris Olympics and his option to skip the final occasions of the 2024 season (the Rolex Paris Masters and the Nitto ATP Finals) appeared to substantiate this concept.
Djokovic wants to alter his recreation
Nevertheless, a number of days after the season ended, Nole shocked everybody with a really shocking announcement. The 24-time Grand Slam champion has introduced that he has employed his former rival Andy Murray as his new coach for the 2025 Australian Open. Many marvel if their collaboration is sensible and if it’ll work, on condition that the previous Scottish champion has no expertise on this position.
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray© YouTube screenshot
Talking with Eurosport, former ATP ace Alex Corretja commented on Novak’s surprising choice: “I was totally in shock. I have to agree for, let’s say, 10 seconds, 15 seconds and right away I thought, ‘what a smart move from Novak and from Andy, at the same time’.
Andy, he’s always seen things quite clearly, when you sit down with him. He knows exactly the way he wants to practice at the tournaments. He wants to play the way he wants to play during matches as well. So I think it’s an explosive combination, but it could work very well.”
Alex continued: “I think he needs to do different things for sure. Novak, because he’s been very consistent, very solid and almost like a perfect machine.
But right now the other guys are a bit younger, they move a bit faster. So I’m expecting a very aggressive version of Novak, otherwise he will struggle. He can just step back and just run. I mean, he will need to do that to defend because definitely, when you play the top guys, you need to know how to defend as well, because you cannot not always get in position.
But at the same time, if you’re not going on court, knowing that you need to go for it, serve well, you know, push with the return, and from time to time and change down the line, coming to the net, he will struggle.”
The Serbian ace should grow to be extra aggressive than his requirements, shorten the period of rallies and shock his opponents by approaching the web. This appears the best strategy to enable Novak to have the ability to aspire to win the twenty fifth Main title of his superb profession.
Nole is having fun with some relaxation
In the meantime, the world No. 7 is having fun with some relaxation earlier than beginning his preparation for subsequent season.
In these hours, the 24-time Grand Slam champion introduced the beginning of a brand new partnership with Qatar Airways and was noticed in Doha.
On Sunday, December 1st, the 37-year-old from Belgrade will play an exhibition match with Juan Martin del Potro in Buenos Aires and it will likely be a beautiful alternative to say goodbye to the previous Argentine champion. Delpo has had plenty of accidents throughout his profession, which formally led to Baires in 2022. Nole has at all times had a stupendous relationship with Juan Martin, with whom he has created a really intense and spectacular rivalry.
These two champions confronted one another within the last of the 2018 US Open, gained by the Serbian champion. It was Djokovic himself who proposed to Delpo to play one final match towards one another.