"Feels like a part of me has gone with him": Novak Djokovic's motivation has waned due to Rafael Nadal retirement
ATP
Novak Djokovic is the last man standing in the so-called Big Four with the legendary Serbian looking to finally win Grand Slam number 25 next. This after he sealed title 100 this past week. But he admits motivation is very much an issue he has struggled with.
Mainly due to the retirement of a certain Rafael Nadal who left the sport last year at the Davis Cup. He got his big grandstand farewell today at Roland Garros in one of the most special tennis moments in years.
There wasn't a dry eye in the house as Nadal got his footprint immortalised in the clay and Court Philippe-Chatrier including Djokovic, Murray and Federer said goodbye to him.
But he said that for six months, he struggled to find the motivation to play on. He said that now the last bastion of his immortal career was gone that he wondered what do I do now. He has struggled for results for the past 18 months and ironically was back with Murray a week or so after removing him as his coach. He then won Geneva to win title 100 and goes into Roland Garros a lot more happier than Monte-Carlo or Madrid.
"For me, it's been very difficult to stay motivated to compete after his retirement. Honestly, I didn't think it would affect me this way, but I feel like a part of me has gone with him, and it's been a huge challenge for me to regain the joy on the court and the strength to continue competing," he said as per Punto de Break.
"When Rafa left tennis, I felt something I'd never experienced before. I thought, 'What do I do now?' On the court, I've felt discouraged, but luckily, I've found other things that inspire me to continue, and after six months, I can say that I feel much better.”
Novak Djokovic says it’s been tough for him to stay motivated since Rafa Nadal retired, “When Rafa left tennis, I felt something I'd never experienced before. I thought, ‘What do I do now?’”
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 25, 2025
"For me, it's been very difficult to stay motivated to compete after his retirement.… pic.twitter.com/Hgsh41dQ9K
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Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
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