Ahead of the Laver Cup, Roger Federer has suggested Novak Djokovic still has plenty to give despite his early US Open exit.
There will be no Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic at this year’s Laver Cup after the Spaniard withdrew at the last minute.
An injury-hampered year for Nadal saw him compete only at his beloved French Open, where he lost in the first round.
After playing at the Olympics, in fact losing to Djokovic in the second-round, the 38-year-old has not played a professional match since.
Djokovic’s goal of securing Olympic Gold was completed in flawless style, but has since impacted his play, with the 37-year-old knocked out the US Open rather easily by Alexei Popyrin.
Roger Federer tips Novak Djokovic to have a strong Australian Open campaign
This year is the first since 2003 that none of the ‘big three’ managed to win a Grand Slam title, with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner picking up two each.
Roger Federer weighed in on his rivals’ potential 2025 seasons after the lack of major success.
“With Rafa we don’t know,” Federer said in quotes reported by Barron’s. “It remains to be seen. It’s hard for me to make a prediction on Rafa because of the little tennis he has played this year.”
Later asked about Djokovic’s prospects, Federer said. “Novak, winning the Olympics and playing somewhat let’s say a full season – he didn’t bow out because of injuries, he chose to play less which is normal when you get a bit older.
“I feel like he has chances moving forward. I look forward to Australia which is the next Slam. I think he’s definitely going to be one of the favourites along with Sinner and Alcaraz. I think the Australian Open story will be a very cool one to follow.”
Having won ten Australian Open titles, Djokovic will be bidding for his eleventh in January if his fitness allows it.
Can Novak Djokovic earn his 25th major title at the Australian Open?
Beaten in four sets by Sinner in last year’s semi-finals, Djokovic will be returning to Melbourne with an itch to scratch.
Still level with Margaret Court on 24 major titles, Djokovic will likely have set himself a final goal of distancing himself from the pack.
Sinner and Daniil Medvedev, last year’s finalists, look supreme on the hard courts. Alcaraz’s US Open disappointment will also inspire him for a comeback in Melbourne.
Djokovic can physically still compete, however whether his Olympic glory has seen him mentally lose a certain edge remains to be seen.
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