Novak Djokovic believes he can challenge young lads – Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz – in 2025. The Serbian played only in 11 tournaments in 2024 and ended the season without any Grand Slam title in seven years.
While Sinner won the Australian Open and US Open, Alcaraz won the French Open and Wimbledon in 2024. Djokovic suffered a semifinal loss against Sinner in the Australian Open and failed to defend his title.
The veteran had to pull out of the French Open due to a thigh injury despite qualifying for the quarterfinals. The 24-time Major champion suffered a straight-set loss in the Wimbledon final against Carlos Alcaraz and then suffered a third-round loss at the US Open against Alexei Popyrin. However, Djokovic won the Gold medal at the Paris Olympics after beating Carlos Alcaraz in the summit clash.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Djokovic said, “In 2024 I didn’t play much and, Olympic gold and Wimbledon final aside, it was perhaps the least profitable season in the last 10 years, with many ups and downs, issues to be resolved even on a private level.”
The 24-time major winner continued, “However, I feel that I can still play at a high level. Sinner and Alcaraz have established themselves as the two best players in the world, not forgetting [Alexander] Zverev. All of them will be the main candidates to win the Slams and other titles. However, physically and mentally I am ready to play my tennis again. I have the feeling that I can challenge these guys, and my experience can come in handy.
“So next year I will play more tournaments and the Slams in particular will be my priority: I will give my best to win, of course if my body allows me to. But I’m fine, I still have time to rest and analyse what I can improve to have a season better than the last one.”
Djokovic said he will continue playing at the top level as long as he is going strong.
“I want to continue to write the history of this sport, even if I still consider myself as a student. Tennis has given me so much and I feel lucky to be able to continue competing at the highest level. As long as I can stay at the top, I will continue to play.”
Djokovic has appointed his former rival Andy Murray as his new coach.
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