Hey there, fellow tennis enthusiasts It’s your girl Mia Johnson-Carter here, living the dream in Miami. I’m super excited to share some awesome news from the world of tennis.
As we dive into the latest trends in tennis, it’s hard not to notice the return of a tennis legend: Novak Djokovic. The former world number 1 has been making headlines recently after helping Serbia in the Davis Cup tie against Greece in Belgrade. Djokovic has now started practicing again and will return to action at the Masters 1000 in Shanghai in early October. This tournament holds a special place for him, as he has lifted the trophy four times but has been missing from it since 2019.
Djokovic’s return to Shanghai is not just about winning another title; it’s also about rekindling his passion for the sport. The 37-year-old Serbian champion has not had the best of seasons so far. Despite winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, his ATP title count remains zero. However, his victory over Carlos Alcaraz in the Olympic final was an incredible performance that showcased his determination and skill.
After winning against Greece in the Davis Cup, Djokovic admitted that he will not be playing much from now until the end of the season. His schedule for the following month is unclear, but he will certainly be one of the protagonists at the ‘Six Kings Slam’ in Saudi Arabia next month alongside Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, and Holger Rune.
Djokovic’s decision to return to China might be influenced by pressure from sponsors. Nonetheless, his return is a significant moment for tennis fans worldwide. The ATP Finals in Turin are not his primary goal at this point in his career. Currently occupying the ninth position in the ATP Race, much will depend on his performance in Shanghai.
During an interview with Eurosport, ATP legend John McEnroe revealed Djokovic’s biggest achievement: “Oh boy, that’s a question. It’s hard to pick just one given everything he has achieved. You look back at the final where he beat Nadal in almost six hours to win the Australian Open (in 2012). Then you look at how he became such a great grass court player and his record of winning seven Wimbledon titles. Saving the match points against Roger Federer in the 2019 Wimbledon final was pretty amazing and he has also saved match points at the US Open before going on to win the title in New York.”
John McEnroe continued: “There is a long list because this guy is the most successful tennis player of all-time. Yet it seems like because he hadn’t won the Olympics and that was the one missing off his record, his gold medal in Paris a few weeks ago might just mean the most to him. He stated how much he wanted to win it, so that might be right up there at the top.”
Djokovic’s thoughts on 2025 are also significant. The 37-year-old from Belgrade knows that next year will be crucial to his chances of winning another Grand Slam title. He is still considered by bookmakers as the top favorite at the 2025 Australian Open, but Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are very close behind.
For Djokovic, 2025 is about living in the moment and seeing what happens next. As he explained recently, “For the first time in my career, I have no long-term plans. I’m living in the moment; we’ll see what happens in the future.” His schedule includes an exhibition tournament in Saudi Arabia next month, but after that? Only time will tell.
If you want to know more about Novak Djokovic’s journey and his previous campaigns, you can check out the news where I found it here.
Yours truly,
Mia
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