Novak Djokovic holds most of the men’s tennis records, but he is still hungry despite being almost 38 years old. The Serbian legend went through a very special season in his career, in which he did not win any ATP titles and no Grand Slam titles for the first time since 2017.

The former world No. 1 is proud because he fulfilled his big dream of winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, but some fans and insiders claim that he no longer has a chance to return to the highest level.

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have inflicted many defeats on Nole in the last twelve months, showing that they have created a certain gap compared to 2023. The 24-time Grand Slam champion has often appeared to struggle against younger opponents and has struggled to find the right motivation outside of Major tournaments.

Despite all the difficulties he had in 2024 – including knee surgery for an injury suffered at the French Open – Novak confided that tennis is still his priority and that he will try to shine again in 2025. Shortly before the end of this season, the 37-year-old from Belgrade announced his decision to hire Andy Murray as his new coach. A choice that left everyone speechless. Djokovic’s 2025 will begin at the Brisbane International, where he only played in 2009, before moving to Melbourne for the Australian Open.

According to the latest rumors, Murray will not be present in Brisbane and will join the team directly in the first Grand Slam of the new season. It’s no secret that Nole has big ambitions for the next AOs, a tournament where he has triumphed on ten occasions and in which he has marked an era.

The Serbian will also have to hope for a draw that is not too tough, being the number 7 seed and being able to face very strong rivals already in the quarterfinals.

Despite winning everything during his career and being a legend of modern sport, Novak has never received the same love that fans have reserved for Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Fans have probably never forgiven him for meddling in that iconic rivalry, snatching almost all the records from the Swiss and the Spaniard.

In a recent interview, PGA star Luke Donald explained that Nole deserves to receive more credit: “It’s funny. He doesn’t always get the best rap with the media. Roger and Rafa were the loved ones among the fans. But you meet Novak and he is the nicest, caring, most down-to-earth guy. I think he has had a lot of people against him for whatever reason. But it’s how he uses that and reframes it into a positive really.”

The former world number 1 is aware that his results in 2025 will also be fundamental for the continuation of his career. If he fails to win a Major title next year either, the possibility of retirement would begin to be examined by the Serbian champion himself. The 37-year-old from Belgrade has always said he wants to continue playing as long as he is competitive at the highest level, but the rise of two young champions like Sinner and Alcaraz could force him to decide quickly. The two Major tournaments in which the Serbian has the best chance of winning are certainly the Australian Open and Wimbledon, where he reached the final this year losing to Carlitos

As already mentioned, the former world number 1 will use the prestigious Brisbane tournament as an official test before the Happy Slam. Before the start of the AO, the current world number 7 will also play some exhibition matches with other top players at Melbourne Park. Djokovic’s goal is to be 100% fit for the start of the tournament and avoid making the same mistakes as in 2024.

ATP legend Pat Rafter analyzed Novak’s choice to start his 2025 in Brisbane: “This is not just preparation for the Australian Open – this is a fair dinkum tournament.

You want to be making sure you’re playing your best tennis here. To be here and preparing is what you should be doing.

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A lot of guys go and chase some money, go to the Middle East or something like that, to play but for me, that’s not the best lead in for the Australian Open.

It’s about winning, preparing, playing the best matches, and as many matches as you can. That’s all part of your journey to the Aussie Open.”

The 10-time Australian Open champion will try to win his 25th Grand Slam title and detach Margaret Court in this special standing.