By Scoop Malinowski
This year will be a major challenge for Novak Djokovic. He completed his ultimate goal last year by winning the long-elusive Olympic gold medal and with Federer and Nadal both retired, there is no one to threaten his 24 Grand Slam total record.
So now Djokovic, at age 37, has begun his 22nd year as an ATP pro player. He looked like his high level best in beating Rinky Hijikata and Gael Monfils but last night Reilly Opelka outserved and outplayed Novak at the baseline.
Opelka has an arsenal of nuclear weapons that can beat anyone when he’s at his best. Yes he’s that formidable. Opelka’s serve, forehand and court sense were good enough to elevate him to the top ten before a two years absence due to injuries.
Opelka is not only a lethal player, hes also an intellectual. “He (Novak) is the greatest tennis player the sport has ever seen,” Opelka said after his major upset in Brisbane. “It is difficult being in Novak’s position because he can scout me all day long but the reality is we have nothing to lose coming in against him, he is the greatest player ever. So you end up playing more free and take more risk. If you play your normal level or even a little above your normal level, he will win.”
Djokovic’s “position” now is almost impossible to play from. He’s 37, he has nothing left to prove, he’s no longer obsessed to be the best, he holds more records than he ever imagined he could, he has earned more money than he could ever imagine (hundreds of millions), he has completely conquered and mastered the sport. He has achieved global respect, adoration, and is considered one of the best champions in the history of all sports.
But one element Djokovic may no longer possess is that raw hunger, burning desire, the ruthless drive to be King again. He is already the king forever. He does not need to win anything more.
Djokovic has his wife and two kids with him in Australia and so his energies and focus are not all on tennis right now. That “edge” that was one of his driving forces is not there. How do I know this? Because when it gets down to the nitty-gritty in Melbourne, when he’s behind in a tough match, I don’t think Djokovic will release or unleash that primal scream of rage and desire, which he last showed in beating Fritz a few years ago in Melbourne.
It does not seem that Djokovic still has that capacity to reach that level of “emotional adrenaline” anymore. He’s lost that edge, he’s Mr Nice Guy now. His image, popularity and legacy are more important than another title.
Tennis is all about fractions that make the differences and it’s hard to believe Djokovic has not lost a fraction of his desire, motivation and hunger to be the best again. But his natural extraordinary talent is still very evident.
If Djokovic wants to win another Australian Open he will have to be ready to unleash is inner beast, and those primal screams of rage and lion roars, he will have to summon the eye of the tiger again, he will need to vent that rage and smash a racquet to vent his anger at imperfect play and not be concerned about his image and popularity and what the media and haters will say.
For Djokovic to win no. 25 he will have to let his “Beast Mode” take over, if the need arises. Because his level at age 37 just might not be enough anymore.
But win or lose, it doesn’t matter anymore. Novak Djokovic mastered tennis and uplifted the sport to it’s greatest heights, that no one will ever be able to equal or surpass.
AO · Asics · Head · Lacoste · Novak Djokovic · Reilly Opelka
Cory · January 4, 2025 at 3:43 pm
Hey Scoop! Novak beats to a different drum tho… he’s a machine driven less by ego, and moreso a machine of self-discipline, spiritual growth and the challenges brought by that. Of course he’s aware that he’s already the best. And even from an ego standpoint, to continue winning at 37~ after already cementing himself maybe as the greatest ever, is even greater greatness. So I see tons of drive left in him. Surely he won’t win as much but I see more 1000s in his future and 1-2 more slams. He’s in great shape and mentally as fit as ever.
Scoop Malinowski · January 4, 2025 at 5:28 pm
Cory welcome back! Hopefully you are totally right and I’m way off target and I read too much into the Opelka loss. Opelka is playing his best right now, untouchable and Novak will surely save his A plus game for Melbourne and will peak there. Immortals like Novak don’t listen to the babbling of tennis mortals like me ) But I do wish he will feel and show the raging fire inferno again. When he does he goes to another level. Opelka is a wildcard right now, he can blast away anybody right now even Sinner and Carlos IMO. Any idea who his new coach is? It’s not Berger or Kunath.