Novak Djokovic has made a significant decision to end his season by skipping the final two events of the ATP calendar - the Rolex Paris Masters and the Nitto ATP Finals. This move has sparked various discussions among fans and insiders.

Unraveling Djokovic's Season and Future

Injury and Grand Slam Focus

The Serbian legend cited an injury as the reason for his absence in Turin. It is clear that at this stage of his career, Novak wants to pour all his energy into Grand Slam tournaments and the Davis Cup. This year, he has not played his best tennis in Masters 1000 events. For instance, at the Rolex Shanghai Masters last month, he only reached the final. However, he still has the opportunity to try for his 100th title in 2025 when he turns 38. He has already expressed his intention to play a tournament before the 2025 Australian Open, aiming to win his 25th Major title, which would be his 11th in Melbourne. When the Australian Open begins next January, Novak will be ranked world No. 7, a position that presents certain challenges in the draw. He might have to face tough opponents like Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz already in the quarterfinals.

Coach Search and Team Changes

Due to the underwhelming results in 2024, Djokovic has made changes to his team. Goran Ivanisevic and Marco Panichi have left, and he is currently without a coach. His great friend Carlos Gomez-Herrera is by his side, but there is speculation about whether he will hire a new coach for next year. In a recent interview with 'Sport Klub', former Serbian ace and Davis Cup captain Viktor Troicki shed some light on Novak's situation. He was glad to hear that Novak is 100 percent starting preparations for the new season. There were rumors of something brewing with a new coach, a big name perhaps. Troicki didn't have specific details but believed that Novak is highly motivated and wants to make a comeback next year. He also mentioned that this year, Novak's main focus was on the Olympic Games, and he demonstrated his ability to achieve his goals when he truly wants them. If he trains properly, we can expect many more titles from him. Troicki has known Novak for a long time and understands his determination.

Rivals and Future Challenges

In 2024, Novak has shown that he still has the caliber to win major titles. Despite undergoing knee surgery just a month earlier, he reached the final at the Wimbledon Championships. Moreover, he won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics by defeating Carlitos Alcaraz in one of the most exciting matches of the season. 2025 could be his last real chance to secure his 25th Major title, but it won't be easy with the rise of Sinner and Alcaraz. The Italian ace is currently superior to the Serbian and has defeated him in recent matches. He is also younger. Carlitos is less consistent than Jannik, but his peak performances are remarkable. These two players are likely to dominate again next season. After the ATP Finals semifinal, Casper Ruud suggested that Sinner's game is an evolution of Novak's. He said that with Novak, you can play rallies, and it's not as terrifying as facing his powerful shots. Ruud also emphasized that on TV, the speed of Jannik's game doesn't do it justice.