Novak Djokovic will struggle in 2025 if he doesn’t change key aspect of his game, says former world No 2
The Novak Djokovic-Andy Murray partnership is an “explosive combination that could work very well”, but Alex Corretja has warned Djokovic that he will need to change his game if he is going to compete with his younger rivals in 2025.
Djokovic didn’t have the best of seasons by his usual high standards as he failed to win a regular ATP Tour event and finished the year at No 7 in the rankings.
However, he did realise a lifelong dream as he won gold for Serbia at the 2024 Paris Games, completing his Career Golden Slam in the process.
0:00
/
0:00
Fluid logo
Many thought Djokovic lost motivation this year and there was speculation that he could retire after his gold medal heroics at the Olympics at Roland Garros.
But Djokovic has put those rumours to bed by hiring three-time Grand Slam winner Murray as his coach for the off-season up until the Australian Open.
Two-time French Open finalist Corretja believes it is a “smart move” from the Serbian.
“I was totally in shock. I have to agree for, let’s say, 10 seconds, 15 seconds and right away I thought, ‘what a smart move from Novak and from Andy, at the same time’,” he told Eurosport.
The Spaniard added: “Andy, he’s always seen things quite clearly, when you sit down with him. He knows exactly the way he wants to practise [at] the tournaments. He wants to play the way he wants to play during matches as well. So I think it’s an explosive combination, but it could work very well.”
Djokovic had a 37-9 win-loss record in 2024 and he suffered two defeats against Jannik Sinner and was also beaten by Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final.
Ad
There is no doubt that those two have taken their tennis to another level and Djokovic will need to adapt and add some aggression to his game if he wants to beat the rising stars next season.
“I think he needs to do different things for sure,” Corretja said. “Novak, because he’s been very consistent, very solid and almost like a perfect machine.
“But right now the other guys are a bit younger, they move a bit faster. So I’m expecting a very aggressive version of Novak, otherwise he will struggle. He can just step back and just run. I mean, he will need to do that to defend because definitely, when you play the top guys, you need to know how to defend as well, because you cannot not always get in position.
“But at the same time, if you’re not going on court, knowing that you need to go for it, serve well, you know, push with the return, and from time to time and change down the line, coming to the net, he will struggle.”
Novak Djokovic News
‘Novak Djokovic has sent strong message to Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz with Andy Murray hire’
7 ATP No 1 player-coach pairings: Ft Boris Becker-Novak Djokovic, Ivan Lendl-Andy Murray, Carlos Moya-Rafael Nadal
Murray could well be the man that helps Djokovic to “surprise” the likes of Sinner and Alcaraz in 2025 as the fact that he was still active in 2024 could prove to be key to their partnership.
Corretja added: “Andy knows the game very well. He knows the players, he knows the tactics extremely perfectly in his mind.
POPULAR ON TENNIS365
Ad
“He knows what it is to be there, he knows what it is to be there a little bit older, feeling like the young guys pushing him, the way he needs to react, to defend and what he can do to hurt them.
“So I think he could … maybe bring something to surprise the opponents. I think Novak needs to start doing things a bit differently. He’s been very solid and very consistent, but at the same time, I think he will try to be maybe more aggressive and, you know, play even less.
“In order to be committed, you need to bring someone that you feel like you want to be committed to. Because he’s such a legend as well. So it’s like, ‘I can’t just let him down’.
“If you bring someone as special as Andy, you need to give your 100% and this little gas that Novak feels that he still has in the tank. I think he needs to explore that in order to finish his career and say, ‘I gave it all, and now I don’t think it’s a matter of results’.
“It’s more like tennis-wise, practising, having fun, enjoying, laughing. I think we could have a different version of Novak.”
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Related Articles
Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner
Ewan West
23 hours ago
‘Novak Djokovic has sent strong message to Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz with Andy Murray hire’
ATP Tour
News
Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams
Ewan West
27 Nov 2024
‘Novak Djokovic maybe – but no one held a grudge more than Serena Williams’, says American’s ex-coach
News
Tennis News
Pictured: Dominic Thiem and Novak Djokovic
Shahida Jacobs
8 hours ago
Dominic Thiem reveals his best match against Big Three – ‘The outcome was just amazing’
ATP Tour
News
Pictured: Novak Djokovic and Boris Becker, Ivan Lendl and Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Moya, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Carlos Alcaraz
Shahida Jacobs
4 hours ago
7 ATP No 1 player-coach pairings: Ft Boris Becker-Novak Djokovic, Ivan Lendl-Andy Murray, Carlos Moya-Rafael Nadal
ATP Tour
News
Features
Pictured: Novak Djokovic and Boris Becker, Ivan Lendl and Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Moya, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Carlos Alcaraz
7 ATP No 1 player-coach pairings: Ft Boris Becker-Novak Djokovic, Ivan Lendl-Andy Murray, Carlos Moya-Rafael Nadal
4 hours ago
Carlos Alcaraz holds the Wimbledon title on Centre Court
Carlos Alcaraz 2025 schedule: Key change confirmed for new season
19 hours ago
Novak Djokovic with his Olympic gold medal
Novak Djokovic 2024 review: No Grand Slams – but the one title he wanted
26 Nov 2024
Facts & Stats
Pictured: Arthur Fils and Alex Michelsen
2024 Next Gen ATP Finals: The seven players who have qualified for Jeddah
3 hours ago
Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz celebrate titles in 2024
The 9 ATP players with the highest 2024 win percentage: Jannik Sinner top, Novak Djokovic & Carlos Alcaraz over 80%
20 hours ago
L-R: Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, and Coco Gauff.
The 9 WTA players with highest 2024 win percentage: Iga Swiatek 87.7%, Coco Gauff No 4
22 hours ago
Video
Pictured: Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Serena Williams
WATCH: Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Serena Williams team up for emotional Rafael Nadal tribute
20 Nov 2024
Rafael Nadal waves to the crowd after he and Carlos Alcaraz lost their doubles match at the 2024 Paris Olympics
WATCH: Rafael Nadal tears up ahead of Davis Cup farewell in Malaga
19 Nov 2024
Pictured: Jannik Sinner and his mother
WATCH: Jannik Sinner’s mother wipes away tears as world No 1 makes ‘cute’ confession
12 Nov 2024
Planet Sport Network
PlanetSport
Football365
TEAMtalk
PlanetF1
Planet Football
PlanetRugby
LoveRugbyLeague
Tennis365
Golf365
C
ricket365
Tipstrr
Planet Sport Group
Planet Sport Partners
Tennis365 Info
Social
© Planet Sport Limited 2024 • All Rights Reserved
