Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, has confirmed he will make his return to competitive tennis at the beginning of the 2025 season, stating that he will play a warm-up tournament before next year’s Australian Open. The Serbian icon has not competed since his runner-up finish to Jannik Sinner at the Shanghai Masters in October, opting to skip the Paris Masters and the season-ending ATP Finals, which begin this Sunday. Djokovic’s return to the tour after a few months of rest has been eagerly anticipated, and his decision to play before the Australian Open offers a glimpse of his plans for the 2025 season.
### Djokovic’s 2024 Season: A Brief Break and Limited Schedule
The 2024 season was a year of mixed results for Djokovic. After capturing his record-extending 24th Grand Slam title at the French Open, Djokovic played an intense schedule, including several deep runs in ATP Masters 1000 events. However, as the season progressed, it became clear that the world No. 1 was in need of a break. He made the decision to sit out several events in the latter part of the year to rest and recharge for the 2025 season.
While Djokovic’s absence from the ATP Finals and the Paris Masters in November fueled speculation that he might skip the pre-Australian Open tournaments, he has now confirmed that he will indeed play a warm-up event ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year. “I will play in the first week of the season, I haven’t decided where exactly yet,” Djokovic told Sport Klub in a recent interview. This announcement marks a departure from the rumors that suggested Djokovic might head straight to Melbourne without any lead-up tournaments, as he has done in some previous years.
### Djokovic’s Focus on Big Events
In his interview, Djokovic also emphasized his new approach to his tennis schedule, stating that he plans to play only the “big” events moving forward, with a focus on the four Grand Slams and the Davis Cup. “Tennis is still in focus – now we are going to go full throttle during off-season preparations, we go for another ride,” Djokovic explained. “I just needed to freshen up a bit after an exhausting year.” This strategic shift reflects the mental and physical toll that professional tennis has taken on the 36-year-old, who has been at the top of the sport for over a decade.
For Djokovic, the four Grand Slams – the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open – are the priority, along with his commitment to the Davis Cup, which continues to be a significant goal. He made it clear that, although he doesn’t have long-term plans, the immediate focus will be on maximizing his chances at these prestigious tournaments. “I don’t have any long-term plans. I live in the moment and I’ll see what happens,” he said, underlining his flexible approach to the upcoming season.
### Potential Warm-Up Tournament for Djokovic
As the 2025 season nears, Djokovic has not yet decided which warm-up tournament he will play in before the Australian Open, but several options are available in the first week of January. These include the Adelaide International, which has become a popular choice for top players preparing for Melbourne, the Hong Kong Open, and the Brisbane International. The Adelaide International and Auckland Open are scheduled to run from January 6-12, while the Hong Kong and Brisbane events typically take place earlier in the year.
For many top players, the first week of the season is often about getting match practice and preparing for the rigors of a Grand Slam, but some top names skip the final week of pre-Australian Open events to focus solely on training and fine-tuning their games. Djokovic, who has competed at the Adelaide International in the past, may choose to return there for his first tournament of 2025. However, his decision will ultimately depend on his fitness and what best fits his preparation for the Australian Open.
### Djokovic’s Davis Cup Commitment
In addition to his Grand Slam ambitions, Djokovic has made it clear that he intends to continue representing Serbia in the Davis Cup. Serbia is among the seeded teams for the 2025 Davis Cup qualifiers, which will take place shortly after the Australian Open, and Djokovic’s participation will be crucial in their pursuit of another Davis Cup title. The qualifiers, which will feature home-and-away ties, will provide Djokovic with an opportunity to help his country secure a spot in the second round, which will take place in September.
“Slams, of course, and I would also like to play the Davis Cup, we’ll see what happens with that,” Djokovic said, emphasizing the importance of both the Grand Slam events and his role in the Serbian national team. Djokovic’s leadership and experience will be vital for Serbia as they look to advance in the Davis Cup and possibly add another title to their storied history in the competition.
### Looking Ahead to 2025: Djokovic’s Ambitions
The 2025 season represents an important one for Djokovic, who will aim to continue his legacy as one of the greatest players in tennis history. His 24 Grand Slam titles have set a record, and while his recent seasons have been marked by challenges in terms of scheduling and injuries, Djokovic remains a formidable force on the court. With his focus now on the most important events of the year, Djokovic will look to build on his achievements and add to his already impressive collection of titles.
The Australian Open, where Djokovic has been so successful throughout his career, will once again be a major target for him in 2025. After a year of rest and recovery, the Serbian will be eager to return to Melbourne Park and chase a record-extending 11th Australian Open title. Djokovic’s commitment to training, combined with his wealth of experience and ability to perform in high-pressure situations, makes him one of the top favorites for the title.
As the new year approaches, tennis fans can expect to see Djokovic back in action sooner than many anticipated. His decision to play a warm-up event before the Australian Open, coupled with his renewed focus on the big tournaments, sets the stage for another exciting season ahead. The tennis world will be watching closely as Djokovic embarks on his 2025 campaign, and with his eyes firmly set on adding to his Grand Slam tally, there’s little doubt that he will once again be one of the biggest storylines of the upcoming season.