Novak Djokovic’s career has been one of the most iconic in the history of modern sport. When he entered the professional tour, no one imagined that this Serbian player would break any record in men’s tennis and become the best player of all time. The numbers crowns Nole as the GOAT, although his two great rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have been more popular than him. Fans have always greatly appreciated the rivalry between the Swiss and the Spaniard, who represented the perfect contrast of styles creating two opposing factions.

The legend from Belgrade has entered this rivalry and has become superior to Roger and Rafa, thanks also to a truly impressive physical condition. Novak is still competitive at 37 and won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics this summer, despite failing to clinch his 25th Major title.

Novak Djokovic, Belgrade 2024© Stream screenshot

The 37-year-old from Belgrade will try to achieve this feat in 2025, but it will not be easy to defeat Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz who have taken the lead of the ATP tour. Djokovic has already closed his season by skipping the Rolex Paris Masters and the ATP Finals, in order to prepare well for the start of 2025.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion has confided that he will play a tournament in Australia before the Australian Open, which knows his top goal in the first of the season. The former world No. 1 has won ten titles at Melbourne Park and will certainly be one of the favorites, although he will have to hope for a favorable draw.

Nole has continued to improve

Novak had the ability to continue to improve his game even after winning everything and it is precisely this motivation that has allowed him to become the best ever. In a long interview with ‘RTS’, his former coach Marian Vajda reflected on Nole’s amazing journey: ”Looking back at my collaboration with Novak, it feels like an evolutionary process. He was brimming with confidence when we started; he told me, ‘Maran, I will be tennis number one.’ From that moment, I knew I was working with someone extraordinary. It was inspiring to watch him develop, improving his training and honing his skills, with a clear goal to become the best and secure Grand Slam victories.”

Marian Vajda and Novak Djokovic© Marian Vajda/Instagram – Fair Use

He continued: “Looking back now, one can’t help but marvel at what we achieved together. I never anticipated that he would reach such greatness, becoming the greatest in tennis history. My recognition as the best coach by the Serbian Olympic Committee from 2011 to 2018 is, in many ways, a testament to Djokovic’s influence on my coaching career.”

Djokovic’s 2024 is over

2024 was not an easy year for Novak from the point of view of results. For this reason, the former world number 1 has decided to interrupt his collaboration with Goran Ivanisevic to seek new motivations at this point of his career. Djokovic does not have a real coach at the moment, but he is followed in the tournaments by his huge friend Carlos Gomez-Herrera with whom he has a very close relationship.

The 37-year-old from Belgrade knows that he no longer has many chances to win other important titles and wants to shine again the last years of his career. Despite everything he has won, the 24-time Grand Slam champion feels he can still give a lot to this sport. “Some people think I should leave tennis on a high: ‘You won gold, you won everything, say goodbye.’ Some people think I should keep going as long as I still think I can be the favourite for a Grand Slam. I think more like them. Maybe I will change my mind. I don’t know” – Novak explained in a long interview with ‘La Nacion’.

“For now I feel like I want to keep going. How much longer? Traveling and finding motivation is becoming more difficult for me. It’s not easy. And even less so with children. I don’t want to be away from home for so long, but I still have the drive. So I feel sorry for those who want me to retire, because they will have to see me for a while longer” – he added.

Novak Djokovic, ATP Finals 2023© Stream screenshot

The Serbian ace is also close to another great goal. In 2025, Djokovic will try to win his 100th title by closing in on Roger Federer and Jimmy Connors in the all-time standing. Novak could achieve this result as early as the first tournament of 2025, which could be the Brisbane ATP 250. Nole played in Brisbane only in 2009, being immediately eliminated. We will see what his choice will be.