Novak Djokovic could add another tournament to his schedule

Novak Djokovic is practically outside the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, where he won the cup last year by defeating the local hero Jannik Sinner in the final. The Serbian champion has not won an ATP title this year and his short schedule has helped to keep him away from the top positions. The former world number one did not shine particularly in the Grand Slam tournaments either and only reached the final at the Wimbledon Championships.

The 37-year-old from Belgrade has just had a bad US Open Elimination against Australian ace Alexey Popyrinwho took advantage of his opponent’s very bad day to win in round three. During the press conference, Novak admitted that he played bad tennis in New York this year and never found his best sensations.

Although it has not been a great season so far, Nole has made one of his biggest dreams come true by winning the gold medal at the Olympic Games in ParisThe 24-time Grand Slam champion played the best match of his 2024 final against Carlos Alcarazwho was clearly the favorite for the gold medal on his favorite surface. This match also had an impact on Carlitos, who was eliminated early in both Cincinnati and the US Open.

Nole needs ATP points

Djokovic needs a strong season finale to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals. The former world number one will Shanghai Masters 1000 after several years of absence and the Paris-Bercy Masters 1000but it is not impossible that he can add another tournament to his schedule. The Serbian legend can decide to play in Vienna or Basel.

In a long interview with RTS, the 24-time Grand Slam champion reflected on his amazing triumph at the Paris Olympics this year: “The main reason is that I had the opportunity to represent Serbia again at a very important global sporting event. The other reason is my Olympic career. I lost to Nadal in a very close semifinal in Beijing, then I lost two more semifinals and also lost the fight for third place.” These were some of the toughest defeats of my career.

The Olympic Games only take place every four years. I came to these Games without having won a title at the start of this season. I had knee surgery, I am 37 years old, I beat an opponent who had just beaten me at Wimbledon… All this makes it very special. It is the biggest wave of emotion of my career, it is difficult to put it into words.”

At 37, Novak’s career is almost over. The former world number 1 will be looking to win at least one more major next year, but it won’t be easy to achieve that feat against much younger opponents. In a recent interview with EuroNews, he said: Tony Nadal addressed the GOAT debate: “Who played better? Federer. Who is the best? Djokovic. Because Djokovic has won more titles than the others. Who could be the best without getting injured? My nephew. But he has injuries, so in the end the best is Djokovic.

In my opinion, from what I saw on the court, nobody beats Federer when he plays. You are born with a natural talent, but at the same time you have to work hard,” he added. “Just having natural talent is usually not enough. It is very difficult to achieve the goals that Federer has achieved. Or to be Messi, that is almost impossible. You can be a very good tennis player or a very good football player if you are willing to work very hard.” Novak has broken many records in the last decade: He is the player who has won more Grand Slam titles and more Masters 1000 and holds the record for most weeks at the top of the ATP rankings.

The relationship with Kyrgios

In the latest edition of the podcast “Tennis Insider Club”, the Australian top player said Nick Kyrgios Nole said: “The fact that I played a Grand Slam final with Novak at Wimbledon is crazy because we are so different that we are like friends now and it’s incredible and I can beat him and help him, it’s pretty cool. I never thought I would ever become really good friends with Novak Djokovicand not just on the pitch. We text each other, send each other silly memes and all that stuff on Instagram.”

Kyrgios and Djokovic did not have a good relationship until a few years ago, with the Australian sharply criticising the Serb during the COVID periodThe two champions faced each other in the 2022 Wimbledon final and since then their relationship has improved greatly.