Novak Djokovic showcased where his priorities truly rested earlier this year. The Serbian bagged the elusive Olympic gold; concluding his long-drawn quest to bring glory to Serbia. However, tour-level appearances have slimed for the 24-time major winner lately. He withdrew from the Paris Masters and the year-end ATP Finals despite scripting a noteworthy result in Shanghai. While fans scoured for reasons listing Nole’s string of now-shows, former pros have presented viable reasons for his absence and his ultimate finisher to the season.

Retirement speculation has been running wild for Djokovic and those rumors took a wild turn. Though Nole did not conclude his career, his arch-nemesis Rafael Nadal announced that he would draw the curtains on his stellar legacy after representing Spain for the final time at the Davis Cup Final 8 in Malaga. To much amazement, the Serbian is due to mark his performance at the group event – all the while he bids farewell to his longtime rival.

Naturally, he wants to bring home the Davis Cup crown, and stars like Sam Querrey, Jack Sock, John Isner, and Steve Johnson seem to agree. On Saturday, the group featured on the ‘Nothing Major’ podcast and highlighted that the 38-year-old is seemingly trying to recoup and retain his energy for the big goal on the charts. Though Djokovic’s touring results haven’t been the most tidy this year, his zealousness to outshine other players in group events has been nothing short of commendable.

They said, “He made his way to Shanghai. Maybe some of that was ATP year-end bonus related. I don’t know but he made his way to Shanghai, made his way to the final there and stop. Right then and there. He is going to play the Davis Cup at the end of the year. So, his main focus is clearly trying to bring the Davis Cup back home to Serbia.”

However, Novak Djokovic‘s abrupt withdrawals from the ATP shares another crucial reason. After a demanding season, back-to-back years on the professional circuit have void of him from spending quality time with his family.

Novak Djokovic expresses desire to become the ‘ideal’ father figure for his children

Players aren’t new to this; spending time away from their loved ones. A hectic touring commitment renders them unable to dedicate substantial time to their families, and Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic was reeled in one of those situations. Before walking on the court to play with Juan Martín del Potro for the last time in an exhibition event in Buenos Aires, the Serb sat down for an exclusive feature with ‘LA NACION‘. There, he noted how he wished to be an around-the-clock father for his children, Stefan and Tara.

He said, “It is important they see me as a father in the real sense of the word, as a father who is at home, with them, who follows the routine, the time to go to bed, to get up, take them to school, talk to them about life, play with them. That’s the person I want to be for them, not the father “Novak Djokovic” who is outside. And I do everything to have that kind of relationship and it seems to be going well, but I don’t know. I imagine I won’t know until they grow up, but they are aware of what’s going on.”

Whether retirement is on the charts for the Serb is a tale for tomorrow. For now, fans can sit back, assured that Nole won’t conclude the season without finessing his athleticism and maybe clinching the Davis Cup!