“Some mornings, I’m unmotivated and less inspired to travel and play…” Novak Djokovic said in May this year, around three months before he clinched his maiden gold medal in Paris. Perhaps it was his belief of not having an “expiration date,” to his tennis career that helped him to “keep going.” The current World No. 4, who aimed to remain at the top of the sport, is still seeking an ATP title this year. As the ATP Finals approach, there’s uncertainty about Djokovic’s participation. Former player Steve Johnson has expressed doubt about Djokovic’s ability to compete in the year-end tournament.

The 24 Grand Slam Champion, who played only eight tournaments this season, lost his No. 1 ranking (after ruling for 428 weeks in total) following his French Open QF round withdrawal. But the 2024 Wimbledon runner-up quickly bounced back and completed his career golden slam record in Paris. “It’s complete. I completed all the achievements with this gold medal,” the 37-year-old player said after the triumph. Although he failed to defend his title in New York and confessed his lack of energy while playing, he came back in the Davis Cup event to propel his team forward in the game. 

However, in an interview after his victory against Greece’s Ioannis Xilas in the Davis Cup, he said, “Torino is not my goal at all, to be honest, I am not chasing ATP Finals, I am not chasing the rankings, etc.” And now the former World No. 21, Johnson, who appeared on Nothing Major’s podcast’s September 27th episode, echoed a similar sentiment as he answered if Djokovic, who is at the 9th position in the ATP Finals race, will appear for the event or not.

“No, I don’t know what his schedule is the rest of the year. Obviously, everything’s up to debate, but I don’t know what’s left to accomplish for him…He looked a little disinterested in New York.” Furthermore, the American said that if he were in Djokovic’s place, he would take the rest of the year off and aim for an 11th title in Australia next year.

He continued, “But, you know, I don’t know what it feels like to have completed everything you have in tennis like he has, and then still find the motivation to continue on. So I don’t think he makes the year in finals.”

Moreover, Djokovic would have to earn a lot of points in his upcoming matches in Shanghai and Paris to qualify in the top eight position, and earn a secured place in the ATP Finals. However, it seems that Djokovic has some other plans!

Novak Djokovic shares his candid take on playing tournaments like the ATP Finals

The Serbian star, Novak Djokovic, who won the Davis Cup with his team in 2010, seemed to be in his form when he cruised past Xilas in just 45 minutes, giving Serbia a 2-0 lead over Greece that day. However, soon after the match, he sat down for an interview where he expressed his future plans in tennis, and where his priorities lie.

“As far as I am concerned, I am done with those (ATP Finals) tournaments for my career. Whether I will play other tournaments this year or in the future, I can’t say right now,” he said. “Weeks like these represent another motivation, they inspire me to keep going, they awake those butterflies in my belly. I thought that I would never have to seek motivation anywhere, it all used to come naturally—automatically—but that has not been the case in the last few years,” he further confessed.

Now, Djokovic intends to “enjoy” his gameplay in order to “prolong” his tennis career. Djokovic stated that for the first time in his career, he is not concerned about having a future plan about the tournaments he will play. Will the Serbian legend find the motivation to push through the remainder of the season? Only time will tell.