As Novak Djokovic arrived in Australia for the first Grand Slam of 2025, there was a real possibility it could be the last tournament of his remarkable career.
Such a prospect may not have been considered by many in the tennis community as Djokovic has just hired his former rival Andy Murray to join his coaching team and appeared to be heading into the new tennis year with renewed optimism to push for more success.
Yet after spending most of 2024 suggesting openly that his levels of motivation were waning, Djokovic needed to prove to himself that he still had the fire burning inside him to push for more glory at the ripe old age of 37.
With a record 24 Grand Slam titles in his collection, more weeks at No.1 than any player in tennis history and all the key records in the men’s game claimed by this majestic champion, Djokovic appeared to have little more to aim for after he won an Olympic gold medal amid emotional scenes in Paris last August.
Having done it all, what was left to chase?
The Djokovic story could have ended swiftly if he had been on court at the Australian Open and had the same feelings of declining motivation that dogged him in regular ATP Tour events last year.
His decision to skip the end-of-season ATP Finals in November was further evidence that major championships and playing for Serbia in the Davis Cup are the last two passions that drive Djokovic forward and if his desire to play in those events evaporates, he will know his time is up.
So there was plenty on the line when he stepped onto Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne to face 21-year-old Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open quarter-finals, with defeat likely to confirm the next generation had taken over from the greatest champion of them all.
With most observers predicting his demise against his youthful rival, Djokovic picked his moment to confirm he can still match a the Spanish boy wonder who is starting his journey towards tennis greatness.
Djokovic’s captivating display of grit, power and fighting spirit allowed him to claim a convincing four-set win and in the opinion of 17-time Grand Slam champion Mark Woodforde, the sceptics were too hasty in their eagerness to write off one of the all-time greats in any sport.
Doubles legend Woodforde has backed Djokovic to return to winning ways in 2025, as he believes the dawn of a new year will inspire the Serbian legend to rise back to his best.
“I am expecting we will see the return of the Novak Djokovic of 2023,” said Woodforde.
“Don’t forget, he won three of the four majors that year and ended by winning the ATP Finals and confirming the world No.1 ranking once again. He also made it a goal for Serbia to do well in the Davis Cup and they came up just short after losing to Italy in the semi-finals.
“After playing that brilliant match against Jannik Sinner in the Davis Cup, he didn’t get a lot of time off to prepare for the 2024 season and at the Australian Open last year, he struggled.
“He probably didn’t give his body enough time to recover and that may have been because he crammed so much into 2023 and wasn’t able to go again.
“It’s tough to take time off when you are one of the top players, but he didn’t have a great year and that may have been down to a build-up of fatigue.
“I was in Paris to watch Djokovic win his Olympic gold medal and it was a tremendous performance. It was one of the matches of the year and the standard Novak played during that event was incredible.
“I saw him playing against Rafael Nadal in the second round and he was outstanding that day as well, so it was no surprise to me to see him take the gold medal.
“So I believe Novak can win the big titles again in 2025 and if he can replicate the level of performance he showed in that Olympic final, he will be tough to beat.”
After his heroics against Alcaraz, Djokovic’s withdrawal from his semi-final against Alexander Zverev in Melbourne due to a hamstring injury was an agonising way for his Australian Open challenge to end. Now this great champion needs to find a way to regroup and bounce back once again.
The significance of a 25th Grand Slam title for Djokovic would be huge as it would ensure he ends his career as the most successful player in the history of the big four tournaments in tennis.
He is currently tied with Australian great Margaret Court on 24 Grand Slam wins and you wonder what might happen if he gets to that magical number of 25.
Djokovic openly flirted with retirement from tennis last year, but he has found a new target to chase in the opening weeks of this new year and when this winner sets his sights on a new goal, he has always found a way to achieve his aim.
The tennis family should relish each and every moment this great champion gives to the sport, with his presence as the biggest name in the sport certain to be missed when he hangs up his rackets.