Novak Djokovic led Serbia in the Davis Cup World Group I tie against Greece in Belgrade. Competing for his country at home for the first time in seven years, the 24-time Major winner brought two wins, securing the 2025 Davis Cup Qualifiers tie for his country.
Novak claimed the elusive Olympic Games gold medal in Paris a month and a half ago, lifting the missing trophy and completing the game of tennis. The veteran spoke about his plans following the Davis Cup weekend, clarifying some things.
After everything he has achieved, Djokovic will no longer chase high ranking spots or seek a place at the ATP Finals, admitting he does not care about that anymore! The Serb has competed at 16 ATP Finals since 2007, missing the premium ATP event only once in 2017 due to an injury.
With seven titles and 50 triumphs, Novak is the most decorated player at this event, with nothing to prove. He entered his 16th ATP Finals in Turin a year ago and battled past the group stage following triumphs over Holger Rune and Hubert Hurkacz.
As often before, the world’s best player used his experience and dominated Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the semi-final and final, lifting his seventh ATP Finals trophy and writing history.
Djokovic is currently ranked 4th and will not chase a spot at the ATP Finals at any cost, needing more time to make his next moves following the Olympic Games gold medal. Also, with 428 world no. 1 weeks and eight year-end no.
1 honors, the greatest player of all time has no reason to chase anything else in the ranking segment, especially at his age. Novak stopped the clock in 2023, lifting three Major titles from four finals and keeping the young opponents behind for another year.
Djokovic conquered the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and the US Open, becoming the first player to win three crowns at all four majors. Also, he cemented his year-end no. 1 status with the seventh ATP Finals crown in Turin.
The Serb could not repeat that run in 2024, reaching one Major final at Wimbledon and suffering a heavy loss to Carlos Alcaraz.
Novak Djokovic will not care if he fails to qualify for the ATP Finals.
However, Novak threw everything at the Olympic Games in Paris, earning the gold medal and fulfilling his dreams.
The veteran lost the Australian Open title to Jannik Sinner and struggled at the upcoming events, heading to Roland Garros without reaching an ATP final. Djokovic injured his right knee in Paris following five-setters against Lorenzo Musetti and Francisco Cerundolo.
He passed two obstacles on Court Philippe-Chatrier but withdrew ahead of the quarter-final duel with Casper Ruud. Novak wasted no time, undergoing surgery on June 5 and raising concerns ahead of Wimbledon and Paris. Like many times before, the greatest player of all time portrayed outstanding mental and physical power, traveling to London with protection over his knee and reaching the title clash, chasing the eighth title!
Still, Alcaraz proved too strong for the second straight year, scoring a 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 triumph and defending the crown.
Given the circumstances, the veteran was happy with that result, taking a couple of days off and returning to clay ahead of the Olympic Games, his ultimate goal of the season.
Unlike two months ago, Novak’s knee endured all the efforts early on, toppling Matthew Ebden, Rafael Nadal and Dominik Koepfer en route to the quarter-final. Djokovic felt the pain against Stefanos Tsitsipas, taking the opener but struggling in the second set.
The Greek led 5-2 and had three set points on his serve, looking good to force a decider and put the Serb in trouble. However, Novak bounced back, defending them and pulling two breaks back en route to a straight-sets victory.
Hoping to pass the Olympic Games semi-final stage for the first time, the 24-time Major winner broke Lorenzo Musetti five times in a row, scoring a 6-4, 6-2 triumph and moving into the title clash. Carlos Alcaraz stood on the other side of the net, and two great rivals produced a cracker while chasing the gold medal.
They battled for two hours and 50 minutes, and the Serb prevailed 7-6, 7-6, winning his first Olympic Games gold medal and completing all 15 notable titles!
They saved all 14 break points, staying neck and neck from start to finish. Djokovic survived eight break points in two challenging games in the opening set, taking the tie break 7-3 and gathering a massive boost. The veteran faced no break points in the second set, keeping the pressure on the other side and sealing the deal with a forehand down the line winner in the tie break.
Novak could not find the motivation at the US Open, losing in the third round to Alexei Popyrin and returning to action in the Davis Cup against Greece. The Serb will think about his next moves, keeping his focus on Majors and the Davis Cup duties.
“The ATP Finals is not my goal. I’m not thinking about that tournament or the ATP ranking list. I’m not chasing anything of that, and as far as I’m concerned, I’m done with that tournament,” Novak Djokovic said.
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