FILE – A Serbian man points to the sky after defeating Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s tennis singles final at Roland Garros Stadium during the 2024 Summer Olympics on Sunday, August 4, 2024 in Paris, France. Novak Djokovic. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File)
MELBOURNE, Australia — And there was one more thing. Now that Rafael Nadal has retired along with Roger Federer, only Novak Djokovic remains isolated from the golden generation of men’s tennis.
The Australian Open, which began on Sunday (Saturday night ET), is the first Grand Slam tournament of 2025 and the first major championship since the 38-year-old Nadal played his last match at the Davis Cup in November. be. Federer’s last match was in 2021, but Federer did not announce that he would finish playing until 2022.
Article continues after this ad
“This era is coming to an end. It’s hard for us. We grew up watching them all. Francisco Cerundro, a 26-year-old from Argentina and ranked in the top 20, said: “Then all of a sudden we were playing against them, sharing locker rooms, practicing together, talking to them.” spoke. they. “
Read: Djokovic has points to prove against younger rival at Australian Open
Djokovic has won 10 of his 24 major tournament trophies there since making his Grand Slam debut at Melbourne Park in 2005, and on Monday he will return to California aiming for 11th and 25th place. He was scheduled to start the match against 19-year-old native Nishesh Basavareddy. He had dropped out of Stanford University to turn professional.
“It’s been many years since I came to Australia,” Djokovic said, “where I’ve had my greatest success in the Grand Slams.”
Article continues after this ad
As he bids to become the first player in tennis history to win 25 major singles titles, one of the big changes is that, at least for this tournament, his former on-court rival Andy Murray, the last to retire as a player, will It’s about receiving guidance. August.
“I thought, let’s see what we can do,” said Murray, who has won three major titles and two Olympic singles gold medals. “Novak is not just one of the greatest tennis players of all time. He is one of the greatest athletes of all time.”
Another difference this time in Melbourne was that Djokovic was accompanied by his wife and two children.
Basavaledi, who is about half Djokovic’s age at 37, grew up rooting for the Serbian like many other current players.
“He’s been my favorite player ever since I started watching (tennis), really,” Vasavareddy said when he was 6 or 7 years old. “I watched a lot of his games and tried to learn from him.”
Of course, some chose Federer, who won 20 majors, and Nadal, who won 22 Grand Slam titles, as role models.
Read: Djokovic tells Nadal: ‘Your legacy will last forever’
As time passes, Djokovic will inevitably step away from his playing days. But not yet.
And even though he missed out on a Grand Slam victory last season for the first time since 2017, the man many refer to as “The Nole” is still missing the only key piece of hardware missing from his great career: the Olympics. I managed to collect a singles gold medal.
Djokovic was looking to bounce back from what had been a so-so season for him due to a surgically repaired knee – his success in Paris was his only tournament victory. -Djokovic shortened his 2024 season, skipped the ATP Finals, and began activities for the 2024 season. Offseason with Murray.
Now, those inside and outside the sport are wondering exactly how many matches seventh-seeded Djokovic plans to play, and exactly how many he can continue to win.
“It was a sad moment when Roger left because injuries had a lot to do with it. And Rafa also suffered from injuries. I have to say Noll is still very healthy,” he said in men’s doubles. said Wesley Kuhlhoff, 35, who retired last year after winning one Grand Slam title in mixed doubles. “At some point all legends will retire. Noll is still going strong. Who knows how many years he has left in him?”
There is little doubt among his fellow players that Djokovic should not be sacked.
“For me, he’s still one of the best players in the world,” said Australian second-seeded Alexander Zverev, a two-time major finalist.
Asked what he expected from Djokovic in Australia, Carlos Alcaraz replied with a smile: “He’s a really dangerous player.”
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Subscription completed successfully.
“If he goes to Australia…if he’s hungry, he’ll be one of the favorites to win,” said Alcaraz, who beat Djokovic in the last two Wimbledon finals and lost to Djokovic in the Olympic final.
