Novak Djokovic never hid that his main goal in 2024 was to win the gold medal at the Paris Olympics and he realized this dream by shocking the whole world, despite playing on the favorite surface of Carlos Alcaraz. The former world number 1 – who had won three Majors last year – did not shine in the Grand Slam tournaments this year by playing only one final (at the Wimbledon Championships) and suffering a severe beating from Alcaraz on the Centre Court.
The 37-year-old from Belgrade has started to suffer from age and has suffered several painful defeats in recent months, including one against Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semi-final (where he was trying to win his 11th title). Despite a knee surgery in the spring, Novak played an outstanding Olympic tournament in which he proved to be a legend of modern sport. The 24-time Grand Slam champion not only won the Olympic tournament in August, but he didn’t lose a set on his run in Paris.
Nole showed up unloading at the US Open, where he was eliminated by Australian ace Alexei Popyrin in the third round failing to defend his title won in 2023. Djokovic has lost several ATP rankings and will need a strong season finale to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin.
What’s next for Nole?
Many fans, former players and insiders wonder if Novak will win a Grand Slam title again next year when he turns 38. In a recent interview with SportKlub, former American star Lindsay Davenport opened up on Nole’s season: “Of course I’m surprised he lost so early in New York, but in a weird way, I’m happy for him. After all he’s done, it hasn’t been easy for him to play another major tournament since mid-May.
I really want him to rest well, to play whatever and however he wants until the end of the season. We keep forgetting that Novak is 37 years old, that he has been on tour for 20 years. He knows and feels it best. He needs time to enjoy, celebrate and then get ready for Australia. I believe that next year he can take two or three Grand Slams.”
WTA legend Martina Navratilova also discussed Novak’s current status: “He got what he really wanted, which was the Olympic gold medal, but he still wants the 25th Grand Slam, because then he’s one more than Margaret Court. The end of his time will catch up with him… and it may already be a little bit, because he wasn’t really himself in that last match,” she said. “It depends on whether the fire is still burning. If it’s still burning, I’m never going to say to him ‘you shouldn’t play’ , because it’s never going to tarnish his legacy. He’s ridiculously good. I’m sure his wife is saying, ‘It’s time to hang him up, how many more of these do you need?'”
An uncertain future
The former world number 1 has shown some cracks this year and his motivation may not be at the top after winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, finally completing the puzzle. Djokovic has confided that he wants to play for many more years and has also put in the sights the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, but next year will be decisive to understand his intentions.
During an Eurosport event, tennis legend John McEnroe talked about Djokovic’s future: “It’s difficult to say what we can expect from him next year. First of all, you never want to count him out, but this is certainly the first time that you could ask the question if his days of winning majors are over. He’s got his family and you mention the word motivation. How long can this guy stay motivated? I’m amazed he’s kept it this long, actually. Whether he does win majors again or he doesn’t. He won three of the four last year and now we are saying he might never win another one. I would be kinda surprised he did win more majors because of his age. At some point, that catches up to you.”
The loss against Popyrin hurts and Nole arrived empty at the tournament where he defended the title and where he triumphed several times. It should be said – to his disculpability – that his seasonal goal was the Olympics and he won them a month ago. Now at 37 years old, Djokovic has won everything in this sport and – as confirmed by Navratilova in the last few hours – he must figure out what to do with his future.