“The way I’m feeling…,” Novak Djokovic makes big statement on his retirement after Major-less year
Novak Djokovic is in Brisbane to play his first tournament of the 2025 season and ahead of it, he talked about his retirement plans.
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Novak Djokovic (Image via Imago)
Novak Djokovic, except for fulfilling his lifelong dream of winning an Olympic gold medal, achieved nothing in 2024. He was slamless for the first time since 2017 and clinched no trophy on the ATP Tour.
As the 2025 season is around the corner, Djokovic will be hoping to challenge the other best players on the tour to reach the 25 Major milestone. Djokovic, as per experts and even close friend and mentor Nenad Zimonjic, lacked motivation in 2024 and as a consequence, he won nothing.
Tennis pundits even started to predict when Djokovic would call time on his career. His two longtime rivals, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have hung up their rackets, at the 2022 Laver Cup and the 2026 Davis Cup respectively. Djokovic, who will turn 38 next year, however, still believes he has enough in him to keep playing, for how long, even he doesn’t know.
The way I’m feeling today, I still think that I can go strong for years to come. But how long I’m going to feel motivated to keep going is unpredictable. I still love this sport and I still love competing.
Novak Djokovic told reporters in Brisbane
Djokovic also revealed that he has planned to play more tournaments than he did in 2024. To prepare for the next season, Djokovic spent 10 days with coach Andy Murray who didn’t accompany his old rival in Brisbane but will be present at the Australian Open.
Novak Djokovic wants to have fun at this stage of his career, believes Nick Kyrgios
In Brisbane, Novak Djokovic will also be playing doubles, with Nick Kyrgios, for whom, Brisbane International will be the first tournament since the 2023 Stuttgart Open. Kyrgios had been struggling to make his comeback after he suffered multiple injuries. Now that he is ready to play professional tennis again, he had some kind words about his doubles partner Djokovic.
I have beaten him twice. He is an incredible player, the greatest to have played on the court. I’m not going to go out there and be like, ‘Oh my God, Novak, you’re the best. Please give me advice.’ That’s not me. I’m just going to go out there, have fun. I think I actually help him more because he has reached a point in his career where he obviously wants to have a little fun.
Nick Kyrgios said at the press conference
Djokovic and Kyrgios have met three times. The 24-time Grand Slam champion however lost two of those matches, and the lone win came at the 2022 Wimbledon final.
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Gouri Das
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