Novak Djokovic’s season ended sooner than his requirements. The Serbian champion performed his final official event of 2024 on the Rolex Shanghai Masters, the place he was defeated by Jannik Sinner within the last and was unable to have a good time the one hundredth title of his legendary profession.
The 37-year-old from Belgrade additionally participated within the controversial exhibition known 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 newest chapter of their iconic rivalry (though it isn’t formally counted).
A number of days later, Novak introduced his choice to skip the Rolex Paris Masters the place he was presupposed to defend the title he received in 2023. Having missed the ultimate Masters 1000 of the season and being noticed on vacation in Maldives, many have questioned 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 attributable to an unspecified harm. Some followers and insiders have argued that Novak has been disrespectful to followers and different gamers, belatedly speaking his choice 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 event earlier than the 2025 Australian Open. It isn’t clear which event Nole will play within the first week of subsequent season. The most probably speculation is that the previous world number one participates within the Brisbane ATP 250, the place he solely performed in 2009. Enjoying that event 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 in the course of the Belgrade ATP 250, his former coach Marian Vajda opened up on his present relationship with Novak: “We frequently textual content and speak. We spoke after the Paris Olympics this summer time. I used to be in tears due to his wonderful win. It was the fruits of all his work, all his successes, and it was actually extraordinary. It has been an unimaginable journey coaching him. After I look again on it right this moment and see all these numbers, I believe it is actually an unimaginable achievement. I may by no means have imagined that he would win so many titles and tournaments and be one of the best in tennis historical past.”
The 37-year-old from Belgrade should 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 probability to win one other vital 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 come back. It is going to be tough for Nole to reverse this case.
Two very robust rivals
Throughout an interview with Eurosport, ATP legend Mats Wilander made a really attention-grabbing comparability between Sinner and Djokovic: “Sinner is a giant time, huge match participant like Novak Djokovic, extra so than Alcaraz in a manner, as a result of Sinner reveals up, performs the identical manner, besides higher when the stress is on, and he doesn’t have any dips in his tennis all through the entire event 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 robust week of 5 matches in opposition to the highest eight on the earth? That’s not straightforward.” He continued: “Sinner could be very tough to know at this stage as a result of he’s had some accidents. Clearly, he’s making an attempt 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. When you add 5, 10, 15 kilos of muscle, can your physique nonetheless deal with it? Normally, not simply bodily, but additionally 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 massive age hole together with his two younger rivals. The subsequent few months will inform us if his effort has produced outcomes.
