Despite featuring at just 13 tournaments, Novak Djokovic managed to record another remarkable season in 2025.
At 38 years of age, Djokovic clinched the 100th title of his career at the Geneva Open, before adding another to his tally later on in Athens.
Though he was not able to capture a 25th Grand Slam title, the Serb reached the semifinals of all four major tournaments.
He also finished the season ranked fourth in the world, trailing only Alexander Zverev, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz with a points tally of 4,820.
Despite his heroics in the twilight of his career, 12-time doubles Grand Slam champion Mark Woodforde described Djokovic‘s 2025 campaign as ‘mediocre’, which former US Open finalist Greg Rusedski completely disagreed with.
Greg Rusedski assesses Novak Djokovic’s 2025 season on tour
Responding to Woodforde’s claim on an episode of ‘Off Court with Greg‘, Rusedski said: “Oh, well, he won his 100th ATP title on top of that, he made four semifinals of majors, finished number four in the world.
“And on top of that, he didn’t even play a full season. So, at 38 years of age, to do that is just quite incredible, and yes, he’s not playing Adelaide, and he’s going straight into the Australian Open, but never discount a great champion, and if he’s enjoying playing, he’s going to continue.
Who would be on your Mount Rushmore of tennis players?
“I think he’s going to at least continue to Wimbledon. I still think he’s got a shot there to possibly win the championships if something goes his way, and on the given day he can beat anybody.
“I’ve made mistakes in the past when I’ve discounted great champions. As long as he wants to be in the game of tennis, keep playing, Novak.
“And if we’re talking about mediocrity, basically, 99.9% of the tour would be well below mediocrity if that’s winning your hundredth title and [making] four major semis.
“Most players don’t even make one semifinal in their careers. He’s definitely well above mediocrity.”
Greg Rusedski says there are question marks around Novak Djokovic
Djokovic was forced to retire in his semifinal match with Zverev at last year’s Australian Open, and lost to Sinner at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, before falling to Alcaraz in the final four of the US Open.
Rusedski said of his Grand Slam season: “I think what bothered him is he put himself in the position on four occasions and couldn’t knock the door down.
“In Australia, that was probably the most disappointing because he did beat Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinal.
“And then after that, you know, he had to pull out because of injury against Zverev after the first set.
Who is your dark horse for the 2026 Australian Open?
“Wimbledon, he got to the semis, he didn’t probably play, it was a little bit of a flat match against Sinner. Lost again to Sinner at the French Open, and then we all know what happened at the US [Open].
“So, he’s knocking on the door and also at 38 years of age, I can’t remember a player playing as well as he has. But Sinner and Alcaraz have taken the game to another level the way they move physically and how hard they hit the ball as well.
“We’re going to find out very shortly Down Under in Australia, because we’ve got question marks. Where is he? We haven’t seen him. Nor have we seen Sinner, nor have we seen Alcaraz, so a lot to look forward to.”
Djokovic was scheduled to feature at the Adelaide International, but withdrew as he was not ready physically.
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