Novak Djokovic’s participation in the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin is still uncertain. Due to the results of Rolex Paris Masters these days, the former world number 1 has a very high probability of qualifying for the Finals but he may still decide not to participate. The 24-time Grand Slam champion – who missed the last Masters 1000 of the season where he was supposed to defend his title – is not practicing at this moment and has been spotted in the Maldives where he is on holiday with his family.

If we were to make a prediction at this time, we would say that Nole will not be present in Turin in about ten days. Already in September – during the Davis Cup tie against Greece in Belgrade – the Serbian legend had confided that the ATP Finals are no longer a goal at this point of his career and it does not seem to be a bluff.

The 37-year-old from Belgrade wants to devote all his energies only to Grand Slam tournaments and events in which he can represent his country, as demonstrated by the extraordinary run at the Paris Olympics this summer. Novak is also aware of the importance of 2025, which could be his last good year to win another Major title. For this reason, the Serb may have decided to close his 2024 ahead of time.

Bopanna pays tribute to Nole

Despite being 37 years old, Djokovic has shown that he can still be competitive at the top level and has no intention of giving up against much younger players than him. Nole is also aiming to win the 100th title of his legendary career, which was lost in the Masters 1000 in Shanghai a few weeks ago.

During a recent interview with ‘ClayTennis’, doubles legend Rohan Bopanna paid tribute to the former World No.1: “It’s incredible how consistent he has been for so long, surpassing all imaginable barriers. I also have no doubts that he is the most influential in the history of our sport.”

Some fans and insiders are convinced that 2025 will be the last season at very high levels for Novak, especially after the retirement of Rafael Nadal which will take place at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga. Patrick McEnroe, former American tennis player and brother of John, made a prediction: “2025 will be the last year of Novak Djokovic’s career“. Speaking to the Tennis Channel podcast Inside-In, McEnroe said it would be “difficult for Djokovic to increase his already important Slam prize money”, but he also said that the Serbian “is still in the running and remains among the most competitive players”.

McEnroe said: “I think next year will be his last. It’s getting harder and harder for him to win Grand Slam tournaments. Anyway if the Australian Open started tomorrow, he would be the third favourite. It remains very solid. Rafael Nadal wanted to play more and Roger Federer wanted to too. I think in some ways that will be the same for Novak”. McEnroe continues his analysis: “There is no doubt that Djokovic can win the Australian Open in January. He won the Olympics on clay, it was fantastic. He can still win Wimbledon also because there are not many great players on the grass yet”.

“Sinner, analyzes McEnroe, I think it will be dangerous on every surface since we have seen him win two Slams on hard court. Novak knows that at a crucial moment in an important tournament he can still be there. As long as he thinks he has a chance, I think he will play even though I believe the next season may be his last. I predicted that he would not win any Slam this year and people thought I was crazy. But he won the Olympics. I think he was really thinking about trying to win that gold medal and, amazingly, he did it”.

Djokovic wants to impress again

The two Grand Slam tournaments in which Djokovic has more chance of winning are certainly the Australian Open and the Wimbledon Championships. In a rather complicated season like this, the former world number 1 reached the final at Church Road losing to Carlitos Alcaraz for the second year in a row.

The 37-year-old from Belgrade had arrived in London in poor condition, having undergone knee surgery about a month before. The victory at the Paris Olympics gave him a huge satisfaction, but it also took away his motivation for the last part of the season. It’s no coincidence that Nole was eliminated in the first week of the US Open and has missed several tournaments over the past two months.