Novak Djokovic has made it clear that he is not going to play a full event schedule within the last part of his profession, however former Wimbledon champion Pat Money has informed Tennis365 that his plan could also be flawed.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion failed so as to add to his haul of main titles in 2024, with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz claiming the largest titles in males’s tennis because the Djokovic period appeared to come back to an finish.
Djokovic has insisted he’s nonetheless motivated to problem for extra Grand Slam titles and his shock transfer to rent Andy Murray as his coach for the Australian Open confirmed he’s nonetheless striving to make enhancements to his recreation on the age of 37.
Now Money has given his verdict on Djokovic’s plan to be a ‘part-time’ tennis participant, as he prompt the eagerness to keep away from accidents must be balanced with match sharpness that’s important for fulfillment within the latter levels of a Grand Slam.
In an unique interview with Tennis365 in his position as an envoy for the Financial institution of China Hong Kong Open 2025.
“Older gamers fall into this entice each time that they’re attempting to save lots of their physique and so they don’t at all times get a superb steadiness on enjoying sufficient matches,” Money informed Tennis365.
“You are likely to see older gamers begin to lose five-set matches or have extra dangerous days and that’s pure.
“That’s match toughness. I do know Novak has performed a whole lot of matches over the course of his profession, however he nonetheless must be match-tough going right into a best-of-five-set Grand Slam event.
“We frequently say you may’t afford to get into powerful five-set matches within the first week of a Slam as it’s essential keep recent and that’s very true once you become old.
“When you don’t have sufficient matches underneath your belt and also you play a protracted one early on, I let you know what, you’ll be so sore.
“Andy has had a whole lot of accidents, however he at all times tried to play a whole lot of tournaments by to the top of his profession and for me, that’s the massive secret for Novak within the subsequent 12 months. If he can get his schedule proper and ensure he has the correct variety of matches underneath his belt, he can win once more.”
Djokovic’s transfer to rent Murray as his coach for what could also be his last try and win an eleventh Australian Open title has been one of many huge speaking factors in tennis over the previous couple of weeks, with Money suggesting the transfer might work for each events.
“I adore it, I believe it’s superior,” he added. “They speak the identical recreation, they’re each extremely skilled. They’re each nice at analysing opponents and clearly, Andy is recent off the tour so he is aware of the gamers rather well and it’ll preserve Novak motivated.
“I simply hope Andy will get the chance to do some pre-season work with him as a result of that’s what he must make an affect.”
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Motivation can be one of many largest opponents for Djokovic subsequent 12 months, as he admitted he was shedding the will to compete on the highest degree of the sport for giant elements of this 12 months.
His determination to not play in ATP Masters occasions and to not take up his place within the ATP Finals in Turin was partly on account of harm and may have been on account of his lack of urge for food to play.
Murray’s arrival in his staff for the Australian Open could give him the bolt of inspiration he wants to succeed in for extra and as he proved when he received the gold medal on the Olympic Video games in Paris final summer season, a motivated Djokovic is a potent risk to any participant within the recreation.
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