By Erik Gudris | @atntennis | Monday, May 26, 2025
Photo Credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty
Novak Djokovic is back in the hunt for a possible 25th career Major singles title at this year’s Roland-Garros.
Yet, the all-time great is still sad that his long-time rivals Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray are no longer on tour to motivate him for even more greatness.
The three-time Roland-Garros champion spoke to the press on Monday before his first-round match in Paris.
The former World No. 1 Djokovic, 38, is still celebrating his milestone 100th career tour title that he earned in Geneva against Hubert Hurkacz.
It was a quick turnaround for Djokovic, who traveled from Geneva to Paris in time to take part in the tribute ceremony for 14-time champion Rafael Nadal, who retired last year.
“It was a busy day yesterday and very nice, wonderful day. Obviously winning 100th title, that is a nice milestone, of course, definitely much needed for my game and confidence level coming into Roland Garros,” Djokovic said.
1dem00, Nole!@DjokerNole #gonetgenevaopen pic.twitter.com/z3uKQ64Lel
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 24, 2025
“So it was a beautiful moment, really one of the nicest moments I have experienced on this court. Really, walking into the court with Federer and Murray alongside and being there for Nadal and experiencing all the glory of yesterday’s celebrations of his career. We were all happy for him because he absolutely deserved it.” Djokovic, appeared on court during the Nadal ceremony with his former “Big Four” rivals Nadal, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray.
Seeing his footprint embedded on Roland Garros’ center stage moved the 14-time French Open champion to tears, and his old rivals were moved as well👇https://t.co/nmNgKEO6AL pic.twitter.com/T61rUUeZiP
— TennisNow (@Tennis_Now) May 25, 2025
For Djokovic, it made him realize that the end of his tennis career is likely coming up sooner rather than later.
“Well, I mean, honestly I was thinking about my end of the road as well last night or yesterday when we were watching Rafa having his speech, particularly those moments when we were in the back room, the three of us, and I was just, yeah, obviously talking to Federer and Murray about their good-byes and reminiscing and reflecting on the rivalries, and of course part of me is proud that I’m still there, that I’m still going, but at the same time, I was, and I still am a bit sad that they’re all gone, because those guys were my greatest motivations of why I competed so intensely and for so long.
Djokovic added about his “Big Four” rivals, “Even though we were the fiercest rivals, it’s that personal touch that is out there when you kind of spill your heart out on the court, as he did yesterday. It’s almost impossible it doesn’t touch you deeply.
“That’s what we basically told him, you know, when we were on the court. It was really wonderful. And kudos and credit to Roland Garros for doing an amazing job, you know, to celebrate Rafa.”
Djokovic, seeded No. 6 this year at Roland-Garros, faces American Mackenzie McDonald in the first round.
