With a few tournaments to go by the end of 2024, many are wondering if Novak Djokovic can still win a Grand Slam title before retirement. The former world number 1 has shown some signs of fatigue and decline this year, not winning an ATP title so far and not particularly shining in the Majors.
The Serbian ace reached the final at the Wimbledon Championships despite having had knee surgery a month earlier, but was literally crushed by Carlos Alcaraz on the iconic Centre Court like never before. The 24-time Grand Slam champion did not play well even in second tier tournaments, except for the final reached at the Masters 1000 in Shanghai. Compared to 2023, the gap from the two young men’s tour leaders (Alcaraz and Sinner) seems to have widened.
The 37-year-old from Belgrade will have to work very hard during the off-season to give himself a last chance to win a Slam next year. 2025 will be the decisive year for his ambitions, as he will turn 38. As for the last part of this season, Nole seems determined not to play in the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin even if he qualifies.
The big dilemma
Djokovic has already dropped out of the Masters 1000 in Paris-Bercy and his place among the top eight is very much at risk at the moment. Novak has repeatedly confided that he is still motivated despite having won everything a player could dream of, including the gold medal at the last Olympics in Paris.
In a recent interview with ‘Tennis365’, top coach Patrick Mouratoglou reflected on Nole’s chances next year: “Let’s not forget that last year he won three Grand Slam tournaments and played the final one. So remember, it was only a year ago, not 10 years, but just one year. He won the Olympics, which was his main goal this year, beating Carlos Alcaraz in the final, playing fantastic tennis so he is not far away. For Novak, it’s all about his motivation. Now that Nadal is retiring, keeping his motivation becomes difficult. But I think he can still win some Grand Slam tournaments, I’m sure.”
The former world number 1 is also pursuing his goal of winning the 100th title of his legendary career, a goal that he missed in the final of the Shanghai Masters 1000 against Sinner. The 37-year-old from Belgrade will try to take over the world for the umpteenth time and no one can afford to underestimate a legend like the Serbian.
Although he did not achieve any brilliant results in 2024, Djokovic has nevertheless achieved his dream of winning the gold medal for his country. At the last Olympics of his legendary career, Novak gave the best of himself by winning the tournament without losing a set. His performance against Carlitos Alcaraz in the final was magnificent, showing the greatness of this huge player.
Love for his country
During a long interview with ‘La Nacion’, Jelena Ristic – Nole’s wife – recalled that amazing triumph in Paris: “I was crying with happiness, but while I was crying I was thinking: ‘Oh my God, what will his next goal be? Because he will certainly not stop here. What’s next?’ I don’t know, but it’s incredible. Olympic gold was a very difficult goal to achieve, it took him a long time. I know for sure that he will not stop here. He is a giant in mental and spiritual capacity. It is an honor to live with him and, in some ways, to be inspired by him.”
Jelena also spoke about Djokovic’s impact on his fans: “Tennis is a very luxurious sport, a white sport, a sport of rich people. But Novak’s fans are ordinary people, people with an ordinary job and they can’t always afford to have tickets to go see his matches. But when you walk down the street and you see the workers who build buildings or whatever, they shout: ‘Hey, Novak!’ Everyone stops him. I think that is what gives him the power and the energy to keep going. Even though he has already achieved everything, I think his greatest victory is being a champion of the people, yes. He is the people’s champion.”
The Serbian champion has always had a very close connection with his country and recently admitted that he will do his best to be present in events where he can represent Serbia. Novak played in the Davis Cup tie against Greece in September, honouring his commitment to his country and playing in front of his fans in Belgrade. The 24-time Grand Slam champion had tried to win the Davis Cup last year, but Serbia’s run had been blocked by Italy in the semi-finals.