Novak Djokovic’s 2024 did not live up to expectations, although he achieved his big goal of winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics this summer. After winning three Grand Slam titles in 2024, hardly anyone could have imagined that the Serbian ace would not win a single title the following year.
The former world No. 1 has struggled a lot to play at his best level this season, suffering numerous unexpected defeats and others very painful. The 37-year-old from Belgrade was defeated by Jannik Sinner in the semifinals of the Australian Open and in the final of the Rolex Shanghai Masters, while Carlos Alcaraz prevented him from winning his 25th Major title at the Wimbledon Championships.
Despite achieving quite disappointing results for a player of his caliber, Nole qualified for the 2024 Nitto ATP Finals. However, the 24-time Grand Slam champion has decided to skip both the Rolex Paris Masters and the ATP Finals in Turin, generating mixed opinions among fans and insiders.
Novak has expressed his desire to focus solely on Grand Slam tournaments and the Davis Cup at this stage of his career, which is why his next goal is the 2025 Australian Open. Unlike past editions, Djokovic will not be the top favorite in Melbourne and perhaps will have less pressure (he will start the tournament behind Sinner and Alcaraz).
Next year, the former world No. 1 will try to clinch his 25th Grand Slam title and the 100th title of his legendary career. However, 2024 has shown some worrying signs about the future of the 24-time Grand Slam champion. As mentioned, Nole didn’t win a single title in the entire year and didn’t win a Major for the first time since 2017 (and for the second time since 2011).
A negative statistic
In addition, the Serbian legend has had a very negative attitude in several matches during 2024. Analyzing the statistics, it is possible to see how Novak – arguably the best returner of all time – has finished four matches in 2024 without having a single break point.
These are the matches in which he did not have a single break point:
United Cup QF against Alex de Minaur
Australian Open SF against Jannik Sinner
Italian Open 3R against Alejandro Tabilo
Shanghai F against Jannik Sinner
There is no doubt that Djokovic has suffered from the rise of two young champions like Sinner and Alcaraz, who are much younger than him and have no reverential fear of him. Despite turning 38 in 2025, the legend from Belgrade is convinced that she can still win huge titles before retiring from tennis.
“Deep down, I still feel like I have a few more Grand Slams to win,” Nole revealed in a long interview with ‘La Nacion’. “That’s what drives me to compete, to feel like I can still do it, and to play the Davis Cup for Serbia. I love playing for Serbia. Tennis is still my biggest platform for sharing the messages that I care about, whether it’s related to tennis, society or business. I still feel that I enjoy the process and it brings me all these benefits, so why not?” – he added.
Novak Djokovic is a complex character
During that interview, Novak also talked about his past and how much the events he experienced as a child affected his attitude. The 24-time Grand Slam champion has often been criticized for his behavior, but few know his history and the roots of some of his attitudes.
“What makes me vulnerable? More than anyone can imagine – the children. My kids, of course, but others too. I’m always emotional with them, but when I became a father… When I see children suffering it breaks my heart, like I get depressed, they are the purest creatures on the planet and they deserve to have a future, when I see the war and all that happening…” – Nole explained.
I lived through the war, my city was bombed day and night, I saw dead people. Now that there are wars again in other countries of the world, I don’t understand… I would like to know why it happens, but these questions are for the politicians.
We want to create a better society for them, yes they have the best possible education and therefore injustice makes me vulnerable, especially towards children and towards nature. I love nature and animals and such things kill me”, the Serb does not hide his emotions” – he concluded.
According to several insiders, 2025 will be Djokovic’s last year at the highest level. Without Federer, Nadal and Murray, it will be even more difficult for the Serbian ace to find the right motivations to move forward.
