The new tennis season is already bringing surprises. Especially since Novak Djokovic announced his partnership with former rival Andy Murray for the upcoming Australian Open in November last year. This announcement follows Murray’s retirement at the Paris Olympics in August 2024, and fans are thrilled to see these two legends collaborating on the same side of the net. However, in his first tournament of the season, Djokovic came close to clinching his 100th title at the Brisbane International but suffered a surprising defeat to American Reilly Opelka. This unexpected loss left many in disbelief and sparked speculation about Djokovic’s future in the sport.

On the latest episode of the ‘Nothing Major’ podcast, former tennis stars Sam Querrey, John Isner, Steve Johnson, and Jack Sock dove into the buzz surrounding the exciting Djokovic-Murray partnership. Isner, who has faced Djokovic 12 times—last meeting him in 2019—was asked if he thought the Serbian might consider retirement this year. Despite Djokovic’s earlier statements about having no plans to retire anytime soon, the question lingers in the air.

Isner answered, “I’ll say no. He said, after he won the gold in Paris that effectively, he wouldn’t mind shooting up the Olympics in LA in 2028. So, no. You know if his level completely drops off and he’s 25 in the world, then okay he might consider that. But no, I think he wants to keep doing ridiculous things and may even play till he’s 40.”

Last year was tough for Djokovic; aside from winning his gold medal, he didn’t secure any titles and dealt with a torn meniscus. His season ended with a final loss to Jannik Sinner at the 2024 Shanghai Masters. Despite these challenges, Isner expressed confidence in Djokovic’s dedication to his career, stating, “We know he’s going to take care of his body. So the answer from me is, no, I don’t think he’ll retire.”

Despite high expectations for Djokovic at the Brisbane International, his shocking loss to Reilly Opelka marked a significant moment in his career, as it was the first time in eight years that he lost to an American player since falling to Sam Querrey at Wimbledon in 2016. Following the match, he expressed concerns about the ATP Tour’s prize money distribution, highlighting the financial struggles many lower-ranked players face.

Djokovic calls for change in ATP prize money distribution

Following his loss to Opelka, Novak Djokovic voiced concerns over the ATP Tour’s prize money distribution, highlighting a significant issue within the sport. During a press conference, he stated, “The pie split between the governing bodies in major sports, all major American sports, like NFL, NBA, baseball, NHL, is 50% maybe more.” He pointed out that while these leagues allocate around 50% of their revenue to players, tennis falls far short of that figure. This disparity raises questions about financial sustainability for many players on the tour.

The Serb emphasized that the structure of the ATP often leads to conflicts of interest between players and tournaments. He noted, “Ours is way lower than that, it is true.” Expressing his concern that many lower-ranked players struggle to make a living from tennis. Something that the GOAT has been working on with the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), which he co-founded in 2016. The organization is aimed at advocating for the rights and interests of male and female tennis players, particularly focusing on lower-paid athletes in the sport.

From his recent comments, it’s clear that the issue is far from resolved. He highlighted a staggering reality: only around 400 players globally can actually make a living in a sport that captivates millions. This situation isn’t just a statistic; it’s a call to action. Djokovic argues passionately that this disparity signifies a major failure within the world of tennis.

On the other hand, while this debate continues, he is gearing up for the Australian Open. Excitement is building around his new partnership with Andy Murray. This collaboration promises to bring a fresh dynamic to Djokovic’s training, especially as he prepares to face younger competitors like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. With the tournament set to begin on January 12, do you think he’ll turn things around in Melbourne?