Novak Djokovic will likely finish his tennis career as the greatest player ever to swing a racket on the ATP Tour.
Djokovic burst onto the scene when Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were sharing Grand Slam titles like children tossing around sweets to their buddies, and shook up the monopoly that the pair had on the great game.
The Serbian legend wasn’t hellbent on pinching one or two majors from Federer and Nadal. He set about becoming the greatest ever and leaving a legacy – particularly at the Grand Slam events – that would become unrivalled for many years.
In the last two years, however, Djokovic has been stuck on 24 Grand Slam titles. Now, his chances of winning that elusive 25th major might have just significantly increased based on a big decision he’s decided to make.
Novak Djokovic makes right call to withdraw from ATP Finals
Djokovic beat Lorenzo Musetti in the Athens Open final and almost immediately made the decision to withdraw. That’s a bit of a blow to Musetti, who was forced to play in the tournament after losing his top-eight place to Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Musetti is glad the ATP are changing the rules next year, with the Race to Turin points being finalised after the Paris Masters, allowing those who have qualified the chance to rest and recuperate properly ahead of the event.
Djokovic has had to do what is right for himself, however, and his chances of success early in 2026 are likely to be higher by not playing at the ATP Finals so soon after putting himself through the 250 event in Athens.
Djokovic might be 38, but he’s showcased in 2025 that he can still make the business end of Grand Slam tournaments, making semifinals at each event and beating Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinal of the Australian Open.
If he’s to truly get over the line and win a 25th major title, he knows his preparation has got to be spot on. Djokovic is also already the man to beat when it comes to winning the ATP Finals, with seven titles to his name, and quite clearly, the motivation to win an eighth isn’t high.
What could happen to further enhance Djokovic’s Grand Slam chances
Djokovic needs to leave no stone unturned in his quest for more Grand Slam glory and that includes picking and choosing when to actually play in tournaments.
One thing that perhaps isn’t helping Djokovic achieve his goal is his lofty world ranking. Right now, he faces Alcaraz and Sinner when he’s tired towards the business end of a tournament and that isn’t doing him any favours.
There’s an argument to suggest that if he enters fewer tournaments, allows his world ranking to drop and faces the two top players earlier in big Grand Slams, he’d be in a better physical state to compete with them.
One thing is for sure that Djokovic has made the right call this week. With the Australian Open the most successful of all the Grand Slams for the Serbian legend, he could now be extremely dangerous when things get underway in January.
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