Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, has made the decision to withdraw from the 2024 ATP Finals in Turin, opting to stay home in Belgrade and spend quality time with family and friends. This move signals a rare moment of pause for the tennis legend, who has consistently been at the top of the sport for over a decade. But rather than signaling the end of his career, Djokovic’s withdrawal marks a strategic decision to rest and recharge ahead of what he plans to be a full-throttle effort to continue his pursuit of tennis greatness in 2025.
Despite not competing in the season-ending tournament, the Serbian icon remains committed to his tennis journey. Djokovic’s incredible achievements on the court, including a record-breaking 24 Major singles titles, have made him one of the most iconic athletes of all time. However, after an exhausting 2024 season, he believes it’s time to step back momentarily, recalibrate, and come back stronger for the new season. In a statement reflecting his mindset, Djokovic expressed his intention to work at full strength during the off-season and prepare for another ambitious chapter in his storied career.
“I’m still focused on tennis. I will work at full throttle during the off-season and prepare for another ride in 2025,” Djokovic said. “The year was exhausting, and I have to refresh and recharge my batteries. I will compete in the first week of the season; I’m just not sure where. After that, I will focus on the Australian Open.”
### Novak’s Options for a 2025 Return: Hong Kong or Brisbane?
With Djokovic’s plans to compete in the opening week of the 2025 season, the big question is where he will make his return to the tour. Djokovic has already confirmed that he will skip the United Cup, a mixed-team event, which leaves him with two primary options for the first tournament of the year: Hong Kong or Brisbane.
The Brisbane International has historically been one of the most popular destinations for players to kick off the new year, with the tournament taking place in the lead-up to the Australian Open. Djokovic’s decision to possibly return to Brisbane, a city he has only competed in once, would certainly spark interest given that his single appearance there did not go as planned. In fact, his only appearance in Brisbane came in 2009, when he suffered a disappointing loss to his good friend Ernests Gulbis in the opening round.
Djokovic’s performance that year was far from his usual high standards. He fell 6-4, 6-4 to Gulbis in just an hour and a half. It was a rare early exit for Djokovic, who had struggled to find his rhythm on the newly-built Pat Rafter Arena at the Queensland Tennis Centre. Djokovic later admitted that he had been adjusting to a new racquet during the off-season, which contributed to his lack of consistency on the court. Gulbis capitalized on Djokovic’s struggles, breaking him four times during the match. It was a humbling defeat for the Serbian, but one that showed his resilience and determination to bounce back from setbacks.
Fast forward 15 years, and a lot has changed for Novak Djokovic. The world No. 1 has become the most decorated player in the history of tennis, with his 24 Major singles titles standing as a testament to his exceptional career. While his 2009 experience in Brisbane was forgettable, Djokovic’s achievements since then have cemented his place as arguably the greatest player in the sport’s history. A return to Brisbane in 2025 would mark a fresh opportunity to reassert his dominance in the Australian summer of tennis, which he has historically owned.
### 2023: Djokovic’s Historic Year
Despite turning 36 in May 2023, Djokovic proved to the world that age is just a number. The Serbian tennis great had a remarkable year, winning a total of seven ATP titles, including three Grand Slam trophies at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. With those victories, Djokovic surpassed Rafael Nadal’s record of 22 Grand Slam singles titles, solidifying his place as the most decorated male tennis player of all time.
2023 also saw Djokovic reclaim the No. 1 ranking, a position he held at the end of the season, marking his eighth year-end No. 1 honor. The year was an impressive continuation of his legacy, as he dominated the tennis circuit in a way that many had questioned whether he could do after his success in the Olympic Games and subsequent achievements.
### A Challenging 2024 Season: The Olympic Dream Fulfilled
However, 2024 proved to be a more challenging year for Djokovic, as he faced setbacks and disappointments that prevented him from replicating his level of dominance in 2023. Though he finished the season with a solid 37-9 win-loss record, he did not manage to capture a Grand Slam or a Masters 1000 title, which had been a hallmark of his previous seasons.
One of Djokovic’s major accomplishments in 2024, however, was securing his long-sought Olympic gold medal in Paris. This victory added the final piece to his already legendary career, as he had previously been missing the gold medal in singles from his extensive trophy collection. Djokovic’s victory in the 2024 Olympic Games was a testament to his determination and willpower, particularly after dealing with a recurring knee injury throughout the year.
At the Olympics, Djokovic showed the world that his mental and physical fortitude remained as strong as ever. His path to gold was not easy. He defeated long-time rival Rafael Nadal in a gripping second-round encounter, before overcoming a gritty Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarter-finals. The semifinal saw him beat Lorenzo Musetti to secure a spot in the final against the world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz.
Although Alcaraz was the favorite, Djokovic’s experience and resolve shone through. The Serb triumphed in a thrilling final, winning 7-6, 7-6 after nearly three hours of high-level tennis, securing his place in history as the only player with 15 notable trophies on his record.
### Closing the Season and Looking Ahead
After winning the Olympic gold, Djokovic appeared to lack motivation for the remainder of the 2024 season. His form dipped, and he suffered an unexpected loss to Alexei Popyrin at the US Open, an event that further highlighted the fatigue he had accumulated over the past year. Djokovic’s commitment to playing for his country in the Davis Cup and finishing his season with a strong performance in Shanghai, where he reached the final, were commendable. However, the 2024 season ended with a focus on recovery, rather than titles.
With his eyes firmly set on 2025, Djokovic now plans to recharge and prepare for the upcoming season, aiming for another shot at the Australian Open and the other major titles on the calendar. The decision to withdraw from the ATP Finals and take a break is a strategic one, as Djokovic believes that a refreshed and recharged body will be key to his continued success on the ATP Tour.
### Looking to the Future: More Titles and the Quest for Further Glory
Djokovic has shown time and time again that he is not done chasing greatness. While many questioned his motivation following his success at the Olympic Games, it is clear that the fire still burns within him. The Serbian legend is determined to continue competing at the highest level, not just for another year, but for several more to come. His focus remains on achieving more titles, adding to his already unparalleled legacy, and possibly chasing another Olympic gold in the future.
“I will work at full throttle during the off-season and prepare for another ride in 2025,” Djokovic affirmed. With his unparalleled commitment to his craft and his relentless drive to win, Djokovic is ready to prove once again why he is considered by many to be the greatest player of all time. The 2025 season promises to be another exciting chapter in the career of one of tennis’s all-time greats.