Novak Djokovic has arrived in Argentina for his final match of 2024, reflecting on a year that has brought a mix of triumphs and challenges. Despite being crowned the undisputed king of men’s tennis last year, having secured three out of four Grand Slam titles in 2023, and finishing the season as world No. 1, this year has marked a turning point for the Serbian legend.
While Djokovic capped off 2023 with an ATP Finals victory in Turin, 2024 has been less kind to him. He faced a stiff challenge from a new wave of tennis stars, as Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz dominated the Grand Slam scene, each claiming two titles. Djokovic himself failed to secure a regular tour win, though he did fulfill one of his major ambitions by clinching an Olympic gold medal in Paris, defeating Alcaraz in the final.
At 37, Djokovic has begun to question his future on the ATP Tour, acknowledging that his motivation has diminished over the years. Before his much-anticipated appearance in a tribute match for Argentine tennis great Juan Martin del Potro on Sunday, Djokovic opened up about the emotional journey he’s had throughout this year, which has seen the retirement of some of his long-time rivals, including Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray.
As tennis enters a new era led by Sinner and Alcaraz, Djokovic admits that he still sees himself as part of the previous generation. Reflecting on his place in tennis history, he said, “I am still playing and I believe I am part of a golden era. Federer, Nadal, Murray, Delpo, Wawrinka… it’s a very special era for our sport. Our personal careers have been influenced by all these rivalries over the last 15 years. For me, looking at this year, it is an incredible thing.”
Despite the departures of his fiercest competitors, Djokovic expressed a sense of loss, acknowledging that a part of him also exits with them. However, his drive to continue competing remains. “I am a bit sad because my greatest rivals have left. A part of me, in terms of tennis, also leaves with them, but I continue to seek this motivation,” he shared.
In an interesting turn, Djokovic is now working with a new coach — one of his greatest rivals — a move that has reinvigorated his passion for the game. He added, “Now I work with a new coach, one of my biggest rivals, who inspires me to see if we can achieve great things in our sport.”
The Serbian also took a moment to honor Juan Martin del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion, whose career was tragically marred by injury. Djokovic expressed deep respect for Del Potro’s achievements despite the setbacks. “His career is legendary as it has been, but I believe, as all of us here would agree, he has had bad luck with injuries. Surely his career could have been greater if he had not had knee injuries. I have had some serious injuries, but not with such bad luck as him.”
In his reflection on the toll injuries take on athletes, Djokovic emphasized, “Injuries are the biggest rival of a professional athlete; when you don’t have health, you can’t do the things you dedicate your life to. I am saddened by everything I have observed with Delpo, but today we are here to celebrate.”
Del Potro, ever gracious, reciprocated Djokovic’s admiration, stating that the Serbian remains the player to beat, particularly when he’s in peak form. “Today is the end of my career, not Novak’s,” said Del Potro. “He is still the best; tennis-wise, there’s no one like him. When he’s in good physical condition, he has shown he can win at the Olympics, reach Grand Slam finals. I don’t want to think about how much longer Djokovic will be around. I watch little tennis, but what I do watch are his matches. We need to enjoy him without thinking about any of that.”
As Djokovic’s 2024 season draws to a close, the legacy of his career remains ever-present. Whether or not he continues to dominate the sport for years to come, one thing is clear: his place in tennis history is secure, and his influence on the game undeniable. For now, both he and Del Potro continue to be celebrated for their immense contributions to tennis, past and present.