Novak Djokovic, the last titan of tennis’s iconic “Big Three,” stands alone on the ATP Tour in 2025, a year that marks the first season since 2003 without Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, or Andy Murray. With Federer retiring in 2022 and Nadal hanging up his racket in 2024 after an emotional farewell at the Davis Cup Finals, Djokovic, now 38, faces a new reality: a tour without the rivals who shaped his legendary career. In a candid interview ahead of the 2025 Madrid Open, the Serbian superstar admitted that the retirements have dimmed his motivation, yet his passion for the game endures. “Maybe so, but if I’m not motivated, I’m not here,” he declared. “I still feel the desire to play, the passion to compete is always there.”
The “Big Three”—Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer—redefined tennis over two decades, amassing 66 Grand Slam titles and countless epic battles. Their rivalries, from the 2008 Wimbledon final between Nadal and Federer to Djokovic’s grueling 2012 Australian Open win over Nadal, captivated fans and pushed each player to new heights. Djokovic, with a record 24 majors, outlasted his peers, but their absence has left a void. “A part of me left with them,” he confessed after Nadal’s retirement announcement, a sentiment echoed in Shanghai when he reached the Masters 1000 semi-finals. The emotional weight of their departures—Federer’s tearful Laver Cup farewell alongside Nadal, Murray’s exit in 2024, and Nadal’s final stand in Malaga—has made 2025 a reflective year for the Serbian.
Djokovic’s 2024 season was a mixed bag, his first without a title since 2011. Despite reaching the Australian Open semifinals and the Miami Open final, losses to younger stars like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz highlighted the rise of a new generation. His crowning achievement came at the Paris Olympics, where he clinched the elusive gold medal, completing a career Golden Slam. “I’m always optimistic,” Djokovic said in Madrid, tempering expectations for the clay-court season. “I don’t know if I’m one of the favorites because I’m not having very good results this year. The level I’m looking for could come here or at Roland-Garros, I hope it will be here.” His return to Madrid, where he’s won three times, including a thrilling 2022 semifinal against Alcaraz, carries special significance. “I always have very good feelings when I return to Madrid, to Spain. It’s a country I love very much,” he added.
The absence of Federer and Nadal has sparked questions about Djokovic’s drive. Former coach Ivan Ljubicic and tennis legend Andre Agassi have suggested that competing without his longtime foes could be emotionally taxing. Agassi compared it to his own experience after Pete Sampras retired, noting it forced him to “rediscover my inspirations.” Yet Djokovic, now working with Murray as a coach, remains defiant. “If I’m feeling and playing the way I did today, it’s pleasure and I have joy,” he said after a Miami win, emphasizing that health and desire keep him going. His goals are clear: a 100th ATP title, a 25th Grand Slam to surpass Margaret Court, and a strong showing at the Grand Slams, where he admits he finds “more motivation to do well.”
Djokovic’s resilience is rooted in his past. Growing up in war-torn Serbia, he forged an unbreakable mental toughness, a trait that helped him disrupt the Federer-Nadal duopoly. Early in his career, he faced resistance as the brash outsider, boldly declaring his intent to dominate. “I didn’t have the acceptance early on,” he told GQ, recalling how Federer and Nadal initially bristled at his confidence. Over time, mutual respect grew, culminating in heartfelt tributes. Djokovic praised Nadal’s “tenacity, dedication, fighting spirit” and called Federer’s career “an absolute honor” to witness. Looking ahead, he envisions a future reunion, joking about inviting them for “a drink or two” to reflect on their rivalries and share untold stories.
As Djokovic navigates the Madrid Open, where he attended a Real Madrid match and the Laureus Sports Awards, fans on social media buzz with admiration for his longevity. Posts on X call him a “warrior” for persisting despite the emotional toll of his rivals’ exits. Yet, with Sinner, Alcaraz, and Alexander Zverev challenging his dominance, the road ahead is daunting. Djokovic’s legacy—bolstered by his advocacy through the PTPA and his unmatched Grand Slam haul—already looms large. Whether he finds his peak form in Madrid or Roland-Garros, his words ring true: “As long as I have that feeling of being able to compete with the guys at the highest level, I’ll keep going.” For now, the fire still burns for the last man standing.
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