Novak Djokovic makes a surprising twist in his early 2025 schedule
Novak Djokovic makes a surprising twist in his early 2025 schedule
Novak Djokovic withdrew from the ATP Finals in Turin, opting to stay home in Belgrade and enjoy with his family and friends. However, the 24-time Major winner plans to work at full strength during the off-season and prepare for another ride in 2025. Novak revealed he will compete in the opening week of the new season, although he is still unsure where. Many have questioned Djokovic’s motivation following the success at the Olympic Games and predicted his retirement. However, the greatest player of all time is ready to extend his incredible tennis journey and chase notable titles in the upcoming years.
Djokovic decided to skip the United Cup. Thus, if he wants to compete in the opening week of 2025, he can choose between Hong Kong and Brisbane, with the latter option sounding like a better option ahead of the first week of the season.
Novak’s only appearance in Brisbane came in 2009. The Serb faced his good friend Ernests Gulbis in the first round and suffered a 6-4, 6-4 defeat in an hour and a half. It was Novak’s earliest loss since Miami in March 2008, struggling to find his A-game and hitting the exit door. Gulbis claimed 12 points more than Djokovic and saved two of four break points. The Serb served at only 48% and struggled to impose his strokes. He faced 13 break points and suffered four breaks to end his campaign on the first obstacle.
Novak played inconsistent tennis at Pat Rafter Arena on the newly-built Queensland Tennis Centre. He changed his racquet during the off-season and needed more time to find a sweet spot with the new one. Ernests secured a break at 2-2 in the opening set. The Latvian served well in the remaining games and clinched the opener 6-4. They embraced four consecutive breaks at the beginning of the second set before Djokovic produced holds in games five and seven. However, Gulbis grabbed a break at 4-4 to move in front and held in the next one to seal the deal and beat his good friend for the first time.
Djokovic’s 2024 results and an elusive Olympic Games gold medal:
The Serb could not follow that pace in 2024, finishing without Major or Masters 1000 titles but claiming the trophy he desired the most! Novak wrapped up the season behind us with a 37-9 score, losing two notable titles but conquering the Olympic Games gold medal in Paris. Djokovic embraced ten tournaments in 2024, winning the title at the event that did not offer ATP points but still securing his 17th year-end top-10 finish.
Novak kicked off the season at the Australian Open, chasing his 11th trophy in Melbourne. The legend reached the semi-final but suffered a heavy loss to Jannik Sinner, missing break chances for the first time in completed matches at Majors and falling in four sets. Djokovic could not find his A-game in Indian Wells, competing in the desert for the first time after five years and losing to the young Italian Luca Nardi.
