"I have nothing else planned apart from the Slams": Novak Djokovic on why he’s cutting his schedule

Novak Djokovic has admitted that he no longer enjoys the pressure of the ATP Tour and reiterated that his priority is the four Grand Slam tournaments. The 38-year-old player has redefined his priorities in recent years, and it's becoming less common to see him in regular ATP events, which he now primarily uses as preparation for his biggest challenges.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion recently competed at the US Open, where he reached the semifinals before falling to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz. Nole reached the semifinal round in all four Grand Slams, and despite looking superior to most rivals, the possibility of winning another major seems increasingly distant. This is largely due to the formidable form of both Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who have split the last eight majors played in 2024 and 2025.

After more than two decades at the top of tennis, Djokovic no longer seems obsessed with chasing records or maintaining a constant presence on the tour. His focus is on what truly matters: the major stages and his family. "To be honest, I have nothing else planned apart from the Grand Slams," the current world No. 7 recently confessed to Telegraaf. "I can no longer enjoy the two-week ATP tournaments. They all last too long," he added.

In this new phase, Djokovic appears less concerned with his ranking and more interested in enjoying the competition on his own terms. "I no longer prioritize a tight schedule. I'm no longer chasing the ranking, and I don't even think about it. For me, now it's about what motivates and inspires me the most. Without a doubt, those four majors." What was once a constant race for points and titles has become a personal quest for satisfaction and legacy. For Djokovic, tennis is no longer measured in numbers but in the intensity of the moments he still wants to experience on court.

Behind this transformation is a very strong human component. With a 10-year-old son and a 7-year-old daughter, Djokovic acknowledges that family time is increasingly weighing on his decisions. "My daughter will soon celebrate her birthday, and I don't want to miss it ever again. My family was always there for me during my tennis career, and now I think it's important to be there for them." With these words, the Serb makes it clear that his role as a father is starting to have the same, if not more, importance than his role as an elite athlete.

Djokovic's honesty also reflects the privileged position he holds. With 24 Grand Slam titles and a career full of records, he feels no need to prove anything more. "I think I have earned the right to choose what and where I play," he stated forcefully. That freedom is a privilege reserved for very few in the world of sports, and Djokovic knows it.

Other champions from the past, like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, also adjusted their calendars in the final stretch of their careers. However, Djokovic does so with a key difference: he remains highly competitive and has a genuine chance of winning more majors. Despite not being the world No. 1, the Serb is still one of the big favorites every time he steps onto a Grand Slam court, which reinforces his decision to concentrate all his energy on those events.

According to Nole, his other major goal is to compete for Serbia, although he recently chose to skip the Davis Cup, taking a break after his US Open campaign. The Serbian team will face Turkey for a spot in the 2026 Qualifiers, where Miomir Kecmanović and Hamad Medjedović will have the responsibility of returning Serbia to a privileged position.