Novak Djokovic, all over: the Serbian champion’s statement that left fans stunned. “Something has changed.”
When one realizes that age inexorably advances, one begins to set priorities. A “rule” that also applies to sportsmen: at the end of a career – especially one studded with successes – one usually begins to make some calculations. Such as, for example, reducing the number of matches to be played over the course of a year.
A discourse that applies to any sport, but especially for individual sports, which are generally more wearing. Tennis is one of them: we are seeing this with Rafa Nadal, who after playing very little in the last two seasons due to injuries, has decided this year to return exclusively for the season on red. The Mallorcan champion’s main goals were Roland Garros and the Olympics, both of which are scheduled on the shredded brick of Paris. And Novak Djokovic, his great rival, may soon imitate him: the Serb, a 24-time Slam champion, recently turned 37 and for the first time since 2017 will end the season without even a Major in his trophy cabinet. The Belgrade native, however, makes no dramas. His only goal in 2024 was a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, which has become almost an obsession over the years. And he achieved it, beating young phenom Alcaraz last July in the final for the most precious metal.
Novak Djokovic, all over: priority to Slam and Davis Cup
What next? Will we see a more fulfilled and less combative Djokovic from now on? Absolutely not, but it is likely that in 2025 we will only be able to admire him in Slams and Davis Cup
At least that is what transpires from his words, spoken in a recent interview and also reported by Tennis World Italia. “I’m not chasing the Atp Finals, I’m not chasing the ranking,” Djokovic explained, ”As far as I’m concerned, I’m done with those tournaments for my career. My main priorities are playing for my national team and Slams. I have won everything, I am 37 years old, inevitably something has changed.” No Masters 1000, then. Nor the Turin Finals. At the moment, moreover, the Serb would be out of the top 8 in the Race, the special ranking that takes into account the points obtained in the season and that puts up for grabs passes to participate in the Masters tournament that has been staged in the Piedmontese capital since 2021. During the aforementioned interview Djokovic also admitted that the only official tournament he might take part in the coming months is Shanghai, China.
