Novak Djokovic remains the last active member of tennis’ legendary “Big Three.” Despite being 37 years old and dealing with recent injuries, the Serbian star continues to strive for excellence. While his peers, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, retired within the past two years, Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion and Olympic gold medalist, has yet to hang up his racket. However, according to a former Russian ATP pro, his efforts to extend his career might soon reach their limits.
This year marked a challenging period for Djokovic, as it was the first time since 2017 that he failed to win any ATP titles due to injuries. Earlier in the year, during the French Open, he withdrew after suffering a torn medial meniscus in his right knee. Following surgery, Djokovic made an impressive comeback at Wimbledon, reaching the final before losing to Carlos Alcaraz. His knee injury, however, persisted, affecting his performance during the Paris Olympics. Despite this, Djokovic secured his first Olympic gold medal in a heroic display. Unfortunately, his time on the court has been limited since then. He withdrew from the Paris Masters in October and also missed the ATP Finals in Turin, even though he qualified for the season-ending event.
Reflecting on Djokovic’s battle with injuries, former World No. 3 Nikolay Davydenko shared his thoughts, emphasizing the physical challenges athletes face as they age. Davydenko noted that Djokovic is pushing hard to defy his age, much like Federer and Nadal before him. He recalled how Federer retired at 41 after his final match at the 2022 Laver Cup and how Nadal, at 38, recently concluded his career at the Davis Cup. “Nadal wasn’t even 40, and he couldn’t physically compete with professionals from the top 50 at the same level. It’s useless. Federer at 40 tried to prove he was tough. But he didn’t prove anything,” Davydenko said in an interview with Match TV.
Davydenko added that Djokovic is similarly attempting to cheat nature but believes this effort will only be sustainable for a limited time. “We are not robots. The loads are serious, injuries happen. Every player deals with health problems at some point, and it’s often injuries that end careers,” he explained.
Despite these challenges, Djokovic appears undeterred, focusing on preparations for the Australian Open. In a notable move, he hired his former rival and longtime friend, Andy Murray, as his coach. The partnership has been well-received by several tennis legends, who believe it could help Djokovic regain his form.
American tennis great Jimmy Connors praised the Djokovic-Murray collaboration, suggesting that their shared history and camaraderie might provide a significant boost. Speaking on his podcast, Connors highlighted the importance of comfort and familiarity in the later stages of a career. He stated, “There comes a point in time in your later years where, if you feel comfortable and relaxed with the people around you, it allows you to play your best tennis.”
Connors believes that Murray’s presence will create a supportive environment for Djokovic, enabling him to push himself further. He concluded, “As you age, it becomes tougher to push yourself. But Djokovic has always done everything possible to remain in prime condition, and this partnership could be a game-changer.”
As the Australian Open approaches, the tennis world eagerly awaits to see if Djokovic can overcome his physical limitations and claim his 25th Major title.