It is 2025 and Novak Djokovic, despite his age, should not be written off by anybody as he prepares to show the tennis world what he is still capable of.
The blazing fire of the golden era of men's tennis has been reduced to dying embers without Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, but the Serb can send one last flame shooting into the Melbourne sky at this Australian Open.
Having ticked Olympic gold off his wish list 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, his body is no longer what it was, and yes, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner won both of their contests last season, 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," Djokovic said after losing to Sinner in the Shanghai Masters final in his last outing of 2024.
This story is from the January 09, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
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This story is from the January 09, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
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