"I'm not chasing ranking points": Novak Djokovic not eyeing world number one spot in ATP rankings in 2025

Serbia’s legendary tennis star Novak Djokovic has stated that becoming world number one is not his primary goal in 2025. The 37-year-old is regarded as the greatest player in the history of men’s tennis in the singles category, having won as many as 24 Grand Slam titles.

Djokovic is going through a difficult phase according to his own high standards. The Belgrade-born star has not won an ATP title since the start of 2024. It was because of this reason, he lost his top spot in the ATP rankings in 2024 to Italy’s Jannik Sinner during the French Open where he was forced to retire just before the start of the quarterfinal against Norway’s Casper Ruud.

This year, he has featured in three events before the start of the Miami Open and was knocked out after losing in the first round. Djokovic is currently taking part in the ATP 1000 event in Miami, where he booked his place in the round of 16 after Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli in straight sets with a score of 6-1, 7-6. The Belgrade-born star, who is currently world number five, has been recently quoted in a report by Reuters, in which he stated that becoming number one in the ATP rankings is not his objective this year.

"If it comes as a consequence of great results and titles that I win in a season, then that's amazing. But that's not my objective," he said. Djokovic. "My objective is to be able to play my best tennis at the Grand Slams and the tournaments where I participate. My schedule is revised, so obviously I'm not chasing ranking points. It's different nowadays, maybe, than it was a few years back (or) for most of my career, to be honest. I'm happy to win a Grand Slam and a big tournament rather than getting to number one. Right now that's more important for me."