Novak Djokovic has had a change of heart regarding his 2025 tennis schedule, revealing that he plans to participate in more tournaments as he aims to challenge the world’s best players once again.
Earlier this year, the 24-time Grand Slam champion had expressed that he was “done” with certain events, including the ATP Finals, and showed little concern for his ranking in the ATP standings. His comments in September seemed to signal a potential shift away from the traditional grind of the ATP Tour, as he played only 10 tournaments in 2024. At the time, Djokovic said, “As far as I am concerned, I am done with those tournaments for my career. Whether I will play other tournaments this year or in the future, I can’t say right now.”
The Serbian tennis icon also shared his desire to spend more time with his family, stating, “For the first time in my career, I don’t have any long-term plans. I live in the moment and I’ll see what happens.” These sentiments led him to skip some of the sport’s biggest events, including his Paris Masters and ATP Finals title defenses, resulting in his lowest ATP ranking in years, finishing at No. 7.
However, after taking an extended break, Djokovic now appears recharged and ready for the next chapter in his career. In a surprising move, he appointed former world No. 1 Andy Murray as his coach for the off-season and the Australian Open, signaling his renewed commitment to the sport.
While he missed several key events in 2024, such as the Miami Open, Madrid Open, Canadian Open, and Cincinnati Open, Djokovic is eyeing a return to some of these prestigious tournaments next year. He feels “physically and mentally” prepared to compete against rising stars like Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Alexander Zverev.
Reflecting on his 2024 season, Djokovic admitted that despite his Olympic gold and a Wimbledon final appearance, it was arguably the least profitable year in a decade. “In 2024 I didn’t play much, and Olympic gold and Wimbledon final aside, it was perhaps the least profitable season in the last 10 years, with many ups and downs, issues to be resolved even on a private level,” he said.
But looking ahead, Djokovic is optimistic about his ability to challenge the sport’s emerging elite. “Sinner and Alcaraz have established themselves as the two best players in the world, not forgetting Zverev. All of them will be the main candidates to win the Slams and other titles,” Djokovic acknowledged. “However, physically and mentally I am ready to play my tennis again. I feel I can still challenge these guys, and my experience can come in handy.”
For 2025, Djokovic has made it clear that he intends to play more tournaments, with a focus on the Grand Slams. “Next year I will play more tournaments, and the Slams in particular will be my priority,” he confirmed. “I will give my best to win, of course if my body allows me to. But I’m fine, I still have time to rest and analyse what I can improve to have a season better than the last one.”
While Djokovic has not confirmed whether he will compete in any warm-up events ahead of the 2025 Australian Open, which kicks off on January 13, he has ruled out the United Cup in early January. Still, he could participate in other lead-up tournaments, such as the Brisbane International or the Hong Kong Open.