“Tennis remains my primary goal. I’m ready to give it my all during the off-season. After a long and exhausting year, I needed a moment to recharge and rest, but my ambition hasn’t wavered. As I’ve mentioned many times, I’m also eager to participate in the Davis Cup, though we’ll have to see how things unfold. I’ll be competing in the opening week of the season, although I’m unsure of the venue. And, of course, there’s the Australian Open.” With these words to *Sport Klub*, Novak Djokovic left no doubt that his quest for dominance in tennis is far from over. The 2025 season marks a significant milestone for the Serbian champion, who aims to capture his 25th Major title and further cement his legacy.
Djokovic’s intention to return to the courts with vigor is not a mere declaration; it is a warning to his rivals. Known for his relentless determination and unmatched resilience, Djokovic’s preparations will involve a preparatory tournament before he makes his bid for another Australian Open title. While the exact event remains undecided, the Serbian has previously chosen high-stakes challenges to tune up for Melbourne. In recent years, he competed in ATP 250 Adelaide 1, where he pulled off a dramatic victory over Sebastian Korda after saving match points, and participated in the mixed-gender United Cup.
Tennis experts and competitors alike recognize that the 24-time Grand Slam winner’s drive to return stronger is not to be underestimated. Darren Cahill, coach of current world number one Jannik Sinner, emphasized this point when speaking to *Corriere della Sera*. “Do not believe that Djokovic is finished. He is a legend, and legends have a unique way of emerging from tough times,” Cahill noted. “If that were not the case, he would not have won 24 Slams. He demonstrated his unmatched perseverance by capturing the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.” Cahill’s words serve as a reminder of Djokovic’s unparalleled ability to rise when the stakes are highest, making him a formidable opponent in any setting.
For Sinner, Cahill’s focus remains on sharpening his player’s physical and technical abilities to compete at the highest level in Grand Slams, starting with the Australian Open. While reaching and maintaining the world number one ranking is a monumental achievement, Cahill stressed that the primary goal is to win major titles. “Being number one at the end of the year is a fantastic accomplishment,” Cahill said, “but now we must raise Jannik’s game further for the Slams.”
In recent months, Sinner has found himself at the center of a media stir regarding his comments about the Six Kings Slam prize money. Speaking on the sidelines of the exhibition event in Riyadh, the young Italian remarked, “I don’t play for money. Of course, the prize is attractive, but I went to Saudi Arabia to compete with the six best players in the world. It was a great opportunity to test myself. Plus, visiting Riyadh for the first time was a unique experience.” Sinner’s comments were met with mixed reactions, sparking debates about athletes’ motivations and their participation in lucrative exhibition events.
Cahill defended his protégé’s stance, asserting that Sinner’s words had been misconstrued or perhaps poorly expressed. “Jannik knows exactly what his priorities are,” Cahill said. “When he received an offer to participate in the Six Kings Slam, which featured the world’s top six players and a substantial prize, he came to us for advice. We asked him why not take the opportunity, and he accepted. His statement about not going for the money was taken out of context. In truth, he had never competed in an exhibition before; his focus has always been on elevating his game.”
This blend of dedication and ambition is what continues to drive Sinner and Djokovic, albeit at different stages of their careers. As Djokovic prepares to battle for a record 25th Major and Sinner hones his skills to conquer tennis’s most prestigious stages, the tennis world is poised for yet another season of intense rivalries and dramatic narratives.
For Djokovic, every match represents another step toward redefining what is possible in tennis. The Australian Open, a tournament he has dominated throughout his career, could once again serve as the launchpad for his season, a place where he thrives under pressure and has consistently showcased his best tennis. For Sinner, the path forward involves navigating his newfound status as the world’s top player, improving on past performances, and staying true to his long-term goals.
In the words of Cahill, legends like Djokovic do not simply fade away; they find ways to reinvent themselves and defy the odds. For Sinner, the journey has just begun, and every step brings new challenges and opportunities. As 2025 approaches, tennis fans can look forward to seeing these two stars—one a living legend, the other a rising force—continue to shape the sport’s future with passion, grit, and unwavering determination.