"I have put in a lot of training": Novak Djokovic shares reason behind not playing any singles event after Wimbledon

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic has opened up about his preparations for the upcoming US Open 2025. The fourth and final Grand Slam of the year will begin on Sunday, where players from all over the world will participate to showcase their talent and secure the ultimate prize.

Djokovic will be looking to not only participate in the competition but will be hoping to become the first player in the history of tennis in the Open era to win 25 major titles in his illustrious career. Things, however, will not be easy for Djokovic as he is coming into the competition on the back of a long break.

The 38-year-old, who is regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of men’s tennis in the Open era, has not played in any singles competition since featuring at Wimbledon. In that competition, Djokovic’s journey ended in the semifinals, where he lost to the world number one Jannik Sinner in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

Djokovic will begin his campaign on Monday when he faces America’s Learner Tien. It will be the first-ever meeting between the two players in professional tennis. Talking ahead of the competition, Djokovic expressed optimism that despite not taking part in the competitions after Wimbledon, he will be able to compete at the highest level after preparing well behind closed doors. “[I may be] 'cold' in terms of the matches, official matches… but I have put in a lot of training in last three, four weeks,” said Djokovic. “I decided not to play because I wanted to spend more time with my family.”

Djokovic lifted his last major competition back in 2023. That year, he lifted three out of the four Grand Slams. His last major title was the US Open, where he defeated Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in the final in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 7-6, 6-3. Since lifting his 24th major title, men’s tennis has been heavily dominated by Sinner and Spain’s Alcaraz.

The two players have won the last seven Grand Slams since the start of 2024. This year, both players have also faced off in two out of the three Grand Slams. At the French Open, Alcaraz came out on top in a five-set thriller with a score of 4-6, 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 7-6. In that contest, Alcaraz managed to save three Championship points and went on to lift the title in a contest which lasted more than five hours and officially became the second-longest final in the history of Grand Slams of the Open era.

The two faced off once again in the final of Wimbledon, where Sinner came out on top with a score of 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. Both Sinner and Alcaraz will once again start the competition as two of the favourites. Djokovic was asked about the growing rivalry between the two players, which many believe has replaced the rivalry of the famous ‘Big Three’, which consisted of Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. In response to that, Djokovic stated that such rivalries are ‘amazing’ for the sport.

“I think their rivalry is amazing,” said Djokovic. “What they have done in the previous two years is remarkable for both of these players. Particularly this year the finals that we have seen them play against each other in Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and a few other tournaments, it's just amazing for our sport. On a global sport stage, these are the types of encounters and rivalries people get very excited about. When it comes to individual sports like ours or boxing, Formula 1 racing, whatever it is, golf, people love to see rivalries. I think their rivalry is, without a doubt, the best one we have in the moment. And it looks like it's going to stay like that for some time.”