Novak Djokovic’s season ended sooner than his requirements. The Serbian champion performed his final official match of 2024 on the Rolex Shanghai Masters, the place he was defeated by Jannik Sinner within the closing and was unable to rejoice the one centesimal title of his legendary profession.
The 37-year-old from Belgrade additionally participated within the controversial exhibition referred to as ‘Six Kings Slam’ in Saudi Arabia, the place he was overwhelmed once more by Sinner within the semifinals. The 24-time Grand Slam champion performed the ultimate for third and fourth place in opposition to his nice rival Rafael Nadal, in what was the most recent chapter of their iconic rivalry (though it’s not formally counted).
A couple of days later, Novak introduced his resolution to skip the Rolex Paris Masters the place he was alleged to defend the title he gained in 2023. Having missed the ultimate Masters 1000 of the season and being noticed on vacation in Maldives, many have puzzled if the previous world No. 1 would play the Nitto ATP Finals.
The uncertainty remained till a number of days forward the draw ceremony, when Djokovic introduced on his social profiles that he wouldn’t go to Turin this yr on account of an unspecified damage. Some followers and insiders have argued that Novak has been disrespectful to followers and different gamers, belatedly speaking his resolution to not play the Nitto ATP Finals regardless of his intentions being clear for a while.
Nole may play in Brisbane
A few days in the past, the 24-time Grand Slam champion made it clear that tennis continues to be a precedence for him and that he’ll play an ATP match earlier than the 2025 Australian Open. It isn’t clear which match Nole will play within the first week of subsequent season. The almost certainly speculation is that the previous world no 1 participates within the Brisbane ATP 250, the place he solely performed in 2009. Enjoying that match Djokovic would decide up tempo and confidence forward of the primary Main of the brand new season, the place he’ll attempt to win his eleventh title.
In a current interview through the Belgrade ATP 250, his former coach Marian Vajda opened up on his present relationship with Novak: “We regularly textual content and speak. We spoke after the Paris Olympics this summer time. I used to be in tears due to his superb win. It was the end result of all his work, all his successes, and it was actually extraordinary. It has been an unimaginable journey coaching him. Once I look again on it at the moment and see all these numbers, I feel it is actually an unimaginable achievement. I may by no means have imagined that he would win so many titles and tournaments and be the very best in tennis historical past.”
The 37-year-old from Belgrade must discover new weapons subsequent yr to defeat Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in Grand Slam tournaments. The Serbian ace – who will flip 38 in 2025 – will maybe have his final likelihood to win one other necessary title. Jannik and Carlitos took management of the ATP tour this yr and are set to take care of the management for a few years to return. Will probably be tough for Nole to reverse this example.
Two very powerful rivals
Throughout an interview with Eurosport, ATP legend Mats Wilander made a really attention-grabbing comparability between Sinner and Djokovic: “Sinner is an enormous time, massive match participant like Novak Djokovic, extra so than Alcaraz in a means, as a result of Sinner exhibits up, performs the identical means, besides higher when the strain is on, and he doesn’t have any dips in his tennis all through the entire match of the US Open or all through the entire of the Australian Open.
He’s the highest favourite in Turin. However once more, can his physique deal with one other powerful week of 5 matches in opposition to the highest eight on the planet? That’s not simple.” He continued: “Sinner could be very tough to know at this stage as a result of he’s had some accidents. Clearly, he’s attempting to place numerous muscle on and get stronger. The query is, while you try this, can your physique deal with it?
I’m a agency believer that your pure physique form is what your joints and what your bones can deal with. If you happen to add 5, 10, 15 kilos of muscle, can your physique nonetheless deal with it? Basically, not simply bodily, but in addition mentally and when it comes to viruses and diseases and no matter. He’s had numerous accidents. He’s had numerous points.” Djokovic will attempt to accomplish yet one more feat of his legendary profession, regardless of the large age hole together with his two younger rivals. The following few months will inform us if his effort has produced outcomes.