Novak makes another push for the summit

The blazing fire of the golden era of men's tennis has been reduced to dying embers without Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal but Novak Djokovic can send one last flame shooting into the Melbourne sky at this year's Australian Open.

Having ticked Olympic champion off his wishlist in Paris, Djokovic has the record for most Grand Slam singles titles in his sights and few would bet against him walking off Rod Laver Arena on Jan. 26 with the unprecedented 25th.

Yes, at 37, the body is no longer what it was, and yes, world number one Jannik Sinner won both of their contests last year, but the fierce drive that made Serbia's favourite son the most successful male player of all time endures.

"My main motivation comes from love and passion for the sport, and also the desire to keep competing," he said after losing to Sinner in the Shanghai Masters final in his last outing of 2024.

"These are kind of the matches and challenges that I still strive for, to be in a position to play against the best players in the world, on the biggest stage, in the finals of some of the biggest tournaments in the world."