If you’ve found Novak Djokovic’s body language a little off, a little languid, through two rounds at the 2025 US Open, you’re not alone. Even the 38-year-old himself would agree.
“It’s not a motivation thing,” insists the Serb, who’s seeking a fifth title in New York, and a record-extending 25th Grand Slam overall. “It’s just me being a bit frustrated with my game. I kind of go through stuff internally that—you don’t want to know the details of what I’m going through and telling myself.
“I’m just trying to be locked in, just trying to solve the riddle once I’m on the court.”
Returning to match play for the first time since his run to the Wimbledon semifinals six weeks ago, it’s only natural that there would be some rust to shake for the former world No. 1, who’s made it clear that, going forward, he intends to build his schedule around the sport’s four biggest events. (“My focus is mostly on the Slams. It’s really about where do I find motivation and joy?”) But even he has been puzzled by his un-Djokovic-like demeanor.
“It’s not like I’m not finding joy on the court competing,” he told the gathered media after a 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 win over American qualifier Zachary Svajda on Wednesday. “I enjoy competing, but I don’t enjoy not playing well. That’s why I put extra pressure on myself and my team to be better the next day, the next match. Today was a little bit of a struggle to find that rhythm. That’s maybe why you haven’t seen me be so pumped after winning points.
“I’ll make sure I’ll fist-pump just for you,” he told a reporter with a grin. “For your eyes only, next one.” Said the reporter, perhaps speaking for all of us, “We’re worried about you.”
“No, no, don’t be worried about me,” Djokovic interjected. “Don’t worry.”
That Djokovic is puzzled by his play at all is a good sign for the last-standing member of the Big Three. It means the results still matter to him. For a player who has nothing left to prove (he leads all comers in major singles titles, ATP Masters 1000s and weeks at No. 1; and boasts the career Grand Slam, an Olympic gold medal, etc.), he says he’s still plenty motivated.
“There is always something to prove once you step out onto the court, which is that you’re still able to win a tennis match,” he said, not long after matching onetime rival Roger Federer with his co-record 190th Grand Slam victory on a hard court. “One can always think that there is nothing more to achieve or to prove because you’ve done it all. But it’s quite relative. It’s quite individual, the way you see it.
“In a short-term mindset and perspective, it’s really about trying to make the most out of that day and win a tennis match, to find a way to win. Not to get too philosophical about it, but I still love the feeling of competition, the drive that I feel on the court. I get really hard on myself because I expect myself to always play at the highest level, which is obviously not possible. But I still have the desire to compete with the young guys, otherwise I wouldn’t be here playing.”
