By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Monday, Might 26, 2025
Picture Credit score: Clive Brunskill/Getty
Novak Djokovic is again within the hunt for a doable twenty fifth profession Main singles title at this 12 months’s Roland-Garros.
But, the all-time nice continues to be unhappy that his long-time rivals Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray are now not on tour to inspire him for much more greatness.
The three-time Roland-Garros champion spoke to the press on Monday earlier than his first-round match in Paris.
The previous World No. 1 Djokovic, 38, continues to be celebrating his milestone one centesimal profession tour title that he earned in Geneva towards Hubert Hurkacz.
It was a fast turnaround for Djokovic, who traveled from Geneva to Paris in time to participate within the tribute ceremony for 14-time champion Rafael Nadal, who retired final 12 months.
“It was a busy day yesterday and really good, fantastic day. Clearly successful one centesimal title, that may be a good milestone, in fact, undoubtedly a lot wanted for my sport and confidence degree coming into Roland Garros,” Djokovic mentioned.
1dem00, Nole!@DjokerNole #gonetgenevaopen pic.twitter.com/z3uKQ64Lel
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) Might 24, 2025
“So it was an exquisite second, actually one of many nicest moments I’ve skilled on this courtroom. Actually, strolling into the courtroom with Federer and Murray alongside and being there for Nadal and experiencing all of the glory of yesterday’s celebrations of his profession. We had been all joyful for him as a result of he completely deserved it.” Djokovic, appeared on courtroom in the course of the Nadal ceremony along with his former “Massive 4” rivals Nadal, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray.
Seeing his footprint embedded on Roland Garros’ middle stage moved the 14-time French Open champion to tears, and his previous rivals had been moved as effectively👇https://t.co/nmNgKEO6AL pic.twitter.com/T61rUUeZiP
— TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) Might 25, 2025
For Djokovic, it made him notice that the tip of his tennis profession is probably going arising sooner somewhat than later.
“Nicely, I imply, actually I used to be serious about my finish of the highway as effectively final night time or yesterday after we had been watching Rafa having his speech, notably these moments after we had been within the again room, the three of us, and I used to be simply, yeah, clearly speaking to Federer and Murray about their good-byes and reminiscing and reflecting on the rivalries, and naturally a part of me is proud that I am nonetheless there, that I am nonetheless going, however on the similar time, I used to be, and I nonetheless am a bit unhappy that they are all gone, as a result of these guys had been my best motivations of why I competed so intensely and for therefore lengthy.
Djokovic added about his “Massive 4” rivals, “Although we had been the fiercest rivals, it is that non-public contact that’s on the market while you form of spill your coronary heart out on the courtroom, as he did yesterday. It is virtually not possible it would not contact you deeply.
“That is what we mainly instructed him, , after we had been on the courtroom. It was actually fantastic. And kudos and credit score to Roland Garros for doing an incredible job, , to have fun Rafa.”
Djokovic, seeded No. 6 this 12 months at Roland-Garros, faces American Mackenzie McDonald within the first spherical.
