By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Monday, Might 26, 2025
Photograph Credit score: Clive Brunskill/Getty
Novak Djokovic is again within the hunt for a potential twenty fifth profession Main singles title at this 12 months’s Roland-Garros.
But, the all-time nice remains to be unhappy that his long-time rivals Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray are not on tour to inspire him for much more greatness.
The three-time Roland-Garros champion spoke to the press on Monday earlier than his first-round match in Paris.
The previous World No. 1 Djokovic, 38, remains to be celebrating his milestone one centesimal profession tour title that he earned in Geneva in opposition to Hubert Hurkacz.
It was a fast turnaround for Djokovic, who traveled from Geneva to Paris in time to participate within the tribute ceremony for 14-time champion Rafael Nadal, who retired final 12 months.
“It was a busy day yesterday and really good, great day. Clearly successful one centesimal title, that could be a good milestone, in fact, positively a lot wanted for my sport and confidence stage coming into Roland Garros,” Djokovic stated.
1dem00, Nole!@DjokerNole #gonetgenevaopen pic.twitter.com/z3uKQ64Lel
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) Might 24, 2025
“So it was a ravishing second, actually one of many nicest moments I’ve skilled on this court docket. Actually, strolling into the court docket with Federer and Murray alongside and being there for Nadal and experiencing all of the glory of yesterday’s celebrations of his profession. We have been all blissful for him as a result of he completely deserved it.” Djokovic, appeared on court docket throughout the Nadal ceremony along with his former “Large 4” rivals Nadal, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray.
Seeing his footprint embedded on Roland Garros’ middle stage moved the 14-time French Open champion to tears, and his outdated rivals have been moved as properly👇https://t.co/nmNgKEO6AL pic.twitter.com/T61rUUeZiP
— TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) Might 25, 2025
For Djokovic, it made him understand that the top of his tennis profession is probably going developing sooner reasonably than later.
“Effectively, I imply, truthfully I used to be occupied with my finish of the street as properly final night time or yesterday once we have been watching Rafa having his speech, significantly these moments once we have been within the again room, the three of us, and I used to be simply, yeah, clearly speaking to Federer and Murray about their good-byes and reminiscing and reflecting on the rivalries, and naturally a part of me is proud that I am nonetheless there, that I am nonetheless going, however on the similar time, I used to be, and I nonetheless am a bit unhappy that they are all gone, as a result of these guys have been my biggest motivations of why I competed so intensely and for therefore lengthy.
Djokovic added about his “Large 4” rivals, “Though we have been the fiercest rivals, it is that private contact that’s on the market if you sort of spill your coronary heart out on the court docket, as he did yesterday. It is nearly unimaginable it would not contact you deeply.
“That is what we principally informed him, you realize, once we have been on the court docket. It was actually great. And kudos and credit score to Roland Garros for doing a tremendous job, you realize, to have a good time Rafa.”
Djokovic, seeded No. 6 this 12 months at Roland-Garros, faces American Mackenzie McDonald within the first spherical.
