Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, arrived at the 2024 U.S. Open in a unique position. Having won his first Olympic gold medal this month, the Serbian player has effectively swept up every desired title in the sport. Despite his achievements, Djokovic finds motivation in pursuing his 25th Grand Slam title and maintaining his competitive edge against his opponents.
Djokovic has been in a similar position before. In 2016, he won the French Open, completing a career Grand Slam. However, after this triumph, he didn’t win a major tournament for another two years. Reflecting on that period, Djokovic pointed out that his mental state took a toll on his performance. In 2024, however, he is determined not to let the history repeat and has been focusing on his rivalries with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner and his advocacy work with the Professional Tennis Players Association.
Despite the dominant start of the tournament with a spectacular win against Radu Albot, the Serbian tennis star is in an intriguing position. Although he describes winning the Olympic gold as the “greatest achievement” of his career, the overall season has been mixed for Djokovic. He now faces stiff competition from Alcaraz and Sinner, and he is determined to prove that he can still come out on top.
Interestingly, the rise of Alcaraz and Sinner may very well work in Djokovic’s favor. Their success and level of play have helped rekindle Djokovic’s motivation to reaffirm his position in the sport. While Alcaraz and Sinner have the limelight for now, Djokovic has his eyes set on reclaiming the throne and returning to the top.
Previously, during his 2016 French Open win, Djokovic shared that he found it challenging to remain mentally motivated. He later referred to the time following his win as an “existential crisis” where he struggled to find off-court balance. However, he now views that period as a beneficial learning experience and is keen to prevent those same motivational challenges from impeding his current performance. Today, Djokovic hints at hopes of playing well into his 40s, even considering a 2028 Olympic Games defense.
As he pursues new goals, Djokovic finds further motivation in his family and his enduring love for the sport. Even after sweeping major titles, he constantly seeks new challenges in developing his game and trying new tactics. While the future remains uncertain, this tennis icon remains seeming excited for what’s to come. Despite having achieved the sport’s most coveted titles, Djokovic still has points to prove on the court.
