Novak Djokovic’s 2025 season is not done just yet, with the Serb set to feature at the Shanghai Masters and the Hellenic Championship in Athens.
Djokovic has enjoyed another incredible year on the ATP Tour, clinching his 100th title and reaching the semifinals of all four Grand Slam events.
Amid speculation around his potential retirement, the 38-year-old has made it clear that he will not call it a day just yet and remains motivated to fight for the biggest titles.
The end is sooner rather than later, however, and as he approaches the latter stages of his legendary career, Djokovic has sent a message to young tennis players and has one big piece of advice for them.
Novak Djokovic’s advice for the next generation of tennis players
In his preview interview ahead of the Shanghai Masters, the 24-time Grand Slam champion was asked what element of his game he would gift to the next generation.
Djokovic responded: “That’s a good one, that’s a good question. I mean, tennis is a very complete sport in terms of the physical, the mental abilities that you put in or invest on the court.
“You need the optimal levels of flexibility, agility, strength, power, speed. All of these aspects have to come together.
“And, of course, mentally, you need to be super strong and disciplined and dedicated in order to reach the top and stay at the top, you know, which is a whole other level of task.
“So I think probably it would be my versatility. I think that’s something that really allowed me to excel in my life, in my career, on all surfaces.
“I was really always looking to upgrade my game and really hide my flaws as much as I could. Not only hide them, but actually make them a strength rather than giving up because there’s just a shot that I don’t know how to hit. I’d work religiously on it to improve it.
“Of course, there are still shots which are, you know, some are better than others, but I think just the mental approach of really willing to improve your game on every surface, adapt your game to an opponent and have all the array of options makes you feel more confident.
“Also a bit more relaxed because you know that you can pull out from your pocket, so to speak, different tactical plays.
“Because you can play deep in the court or inside on the court. You can serve in volley, or you can chip the returns. You can place slices and drop shots. You can play aggressively and flat or spin.
“It’s important to have that versatility, particularly in today’s game, because the game is based mostly on the baseline nowadays.
“It’s not like it used to be with most of the players playing serving volley and three out of four slams until 88 were played on grass, so it’s a completely different game and evolution.
“From the technology of the rackets that we use, from, you know, the wooden rackets to today, you know, the materials that are so good and so light and, you know, help with the speed of the ball and rotation and all the things that you want to do with the racket and the ball.
“So I think it’s important to really always look to improve and to perfect your game, to complete your game as much as you can. Don’t settle for anything less.”
The story of Novak Djokovic’s 2025 season on the ATP Tour so far
Djokovic started off the season with his old rival, Andy Murray, as his coach, and reached the Australian Open semifinals with the Briton in his corner.
He struggled in the events that followed, though, crashing out in the early stages in Indian Wells, Monte-Carlo and Madrid, before finally winning a title in Geneva.
After his triumph in Switzerland, Djokovic played solely at Grand Slams, and advanced to the final four at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open, falling to one of Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz each time.
His record this year is 31 wins and 10 losses, and he currently ranks fifth in the world and fourth in the ‘Race to Turin’.
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