American tennis legend urges Novak Djokovic to be reasonable and focused on one main objective
At 37, Novak Djokovic, possibly in the twilight phase of his career, might have to set reasonable goals according to an American tennis legend.
Follow Us
Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic (via AOL.com)
Four months away from his 38th birthday, Novak Djokovic will spend January trying to win an 11th Australian Open title. The Serbian already holds the record for the most Australian Open titles. If he wins this in 2025, it would be an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title, breaking the record he has tied with Margaret Court.
Last season was the first year since 2017 that Novak Djokovic did not win a Grand Slam. Djokovic also did not win an ATP title for the first time since 2005. But he did clinch the title he coveted the most—the Olympic gold—with a phenomenal victory over Carlos Alcaraz in the final in Paris.
My one question to Djokovic would be, ‘If you only had one thing you could win in 2025, what would it be’? Then I would have him narrow down his focus to that. Everything else doesn’t matter. You’ve got to be reasonable—he is 37.
Billie Jean King via BBC
The great Australian Ken Rosewall secured the last of his eight Grand Slam singles titles at the 1972 Australian Open, having turned 37 two months prior. He remains the oldest winner of a Grand Slam singles title in the Open era. Novak Djokovic is already six months older than Rosewall was then, and the game is now more physically demanding.
His ‘Big 3’ rival Rafael Nadal won his final Grand Slam title at the 2022 French Open two days after his 36th birthday. His other rival from the trio, Roger Federer, was also 36 when he won his final major at the 2018 Australian Open.
Novak Djokovic has suggested that he will play more tournaments this season, which should help. Djokovic started off his 2025 season with the Brisbane International. In a major upset, he was beaten by Reilly Opelka in the Brisbane International quarterfinals. For the men’s doubles events, Novak Djokovic partnered with Nick Kyrgios, with whom he made it into the second round.
Novak Djokovic’s younger rivals and former rival turned coach
Jannik Sinner is 23, and Carlos Alcaraz is 21. That is a lot of years to concede when one’s opponents are as good as they are. But Grand Slam titles have regularly been won by great players in their mid-thirties over the past decade.
The Serbian is still extremely fit. That is going to give Novak Djokovic at least a chance, even if it’s going to be really difficult this time around. Top players now feel no psychological barrier to winning in their thirties. While the length of the season remains brutal, smarter scheduling helps.
Novak Djokovic had also announced Andy Murray as his new coach in November 2024, after parting ways with Goran Ivanisevic. Murray retired less than six months ago at the Paris Olympics and has faced the Serb in seven Grand Slam finals. Equally unusually for a coaching partnership, both are just seven days apart in age. The Scot offers a deep knowledge of opponents, inspiration, and motivation.
The Serb likes making headlines and enjoys the attention. Andy Murray’s presence will add an even greater frisson to his matches. And it is just one of the reasons why, even at 37, one just cannot count Djokovic out.
Stay Updated!
Anubhav Bajpeyee
(211 Articles Published)