Novak Djokovic is recovering his energies after a reasonably difficult season. The previous world number one had outcomes far beneath expectations in 2024 and is actually not used to ending a 12 months with out having gained a single title.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion took the gold medal on the 2024 Paris Olympics and eventually accomplished the puzzle, however in the remainder of the season he confirmed the primary indicators of inexorable decline at nearly 38 years previous. The Serbian legend has reached simply two finals this 12 months, on the Wimbledon Championships and the Rolex Shanghai Masters, dropping to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner respectively with out successful a single set.
Novak Djokovic, Wimbledon 2024© Stream screenshot
The 37-year-old from Belgrade will attempt to give himself one other probability in 2025, which could possibly be his final 12 months on the highest degree, particularly if he doesn’t win the twenty fifth Main title of his legendary profession. Nole has slipped again within the ATP rankings on account of his unhealthy leads to latest months, which is why he may have a really robust draw on the subsequent Australian Open.
Novak has performed nice tennis in Melbourne most of his time and shall be trying to win the ‘Completely happy Slam’ for the eleventh time in his profession, but it surely will not be straightforward in any respect in opposition to rivals like Sinner, Alcaraz and Zverev. The Serbian champion has shocked the world a number of occasions throughout his lengthy profession and will accomplish that as soon as once more subsequent 12 months. Nonetheless, the previous world No. 1 appears to now not have the brilliance he did a number of years in the past and his opponents play with much less strain in opposition to him.
Nole nonetheless feels aggressive
In a latest interview with Eurosport, WTA legend and former World No.1 Justine Henin commented on Nole’s 2024 season: “Of course his season was successful. He went and got the title he wanted, that was his ultimate goal.
He went through a lot of phases this season, including certainly a phase of demotivation and then things to manage on a physical level too – but there was only one place where he wanted to shine.
And the way he did it, I still can’t believe it. This ability, when he didn’t have a great season, when everyone was doubting him, to raise his level of play as he did and manage to be present again in a big event, it’s just phenomenal.”
Based on the previous world No. 1 and several other insiders, Novak’s resounding triumph on the Paris Olympics this summer season is sufficient to take into account his 2024 wonderful. The Olympic match was the primary purpose of his season, having chased that purpose all through his profession.
Few thought that Djokovic would be capable of win the gold medal at 37 and on the floor least suited to his recreation. The 24-time Grand Slam champion performed a near-perfect match, wherein he did not lose a single set throughout the week. Novak defeated Carlitos Alcaraz in a really lovely last, which shall be remembered as among the finest matches within the historical past of the Olympics. The Serbian champion cried loads after the top of that match and hugged his relations.
New motivations
Based on some insiders, that victory could have introduced him nearer to retirement as a result of it is not going to be straightforward to seek out new motivations.
On the newest version of ‘The Louis Theroux Podcast’, Australian ace and 2022 Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios spoke about Djokovic’s psychological toughness: “Tennis is a sport where you pay for everything, you subsidize for your coaches, travel, your parents, your physios, whereas most sports, it’s all subsidized by the governing body. Tennis is a tough one. It’s the hardest sport in the world in my opinion.”
He continued: “Mentally, it’s a must to be unbelievably robust, since you’re all the time touring, you by no means settle, you by no means have any routine. Bodily, it’s a must to be an animal, to be somebody like Novak Djokovic animal. These guys are a number of the most skilful athletes on this planet. It’s a brutal sport, it truly is.”
The 37-year-old from Belgrade has modified groups this 12 months to attempt to discover new motivation and will rent a brand new coach for 2025. The previous world No. 1 mentioned tennis continues to be a precedence for him and that he’ll proceed to play on the skilled tour so long as he feels he’s aggressive.
Nole continues to be a harmful participant for all opponents, as Alcaraz admitted throughout a press convention on the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin. The Serbian ace will play a match in the beginning of the brand new 12 months after which give his all to win the AO. Novak shall be seeded quantity 7 at Melbourne Park subsequent January.
