MELBOURNE, Australia — The curtain has fallen on an extraordinary era of men’s tennis, and now only one titan remains: Novak Djokovic. Following the retirement of Rafael Nadal, who bid farewell after his final Davis Cup appearance in November, and Roger Federer, who hung up his racquet in 2021, Djokovic stands as the last man standing of the famous Big Three.
The first Grand Slam of 2025, the Australian Open, kicked off last Sunday (Saturday evening Eastern Time) and marks a significant chapter in the history of the sport. It is the first major event since Nadal’s retirement, leaving Djokovic as the sole representative of a generation that has dominated the tennis landscape.
“It’s bittersweet; we’ve all watched these legends excel and dominate throughout our careers,” remarked Francisco Cerúndolo, a 26-year-old Argentine player currently ranked in the top 20. “Now sharing the same space with them as competitors has been surreal. It’s hard to see them leave the game.”
Read more:
Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek express solidarity with California after Australian Open victories
Since his Grand Slam debut in Melbourne in 2005, Djokovic has won an impressive 10 of his 24 Grand Slam titles at the iconic venue. He is set to begin his quest for titles number 11 and 25 against 19-year-old California talent Nishesh Basavareddy, who recently decided to leave Stanford University to pursue his professional dreams.
“Australia has always been a special place for me, where I have enjoyed the most success in my career,” said Djokovic, reflecting on his long-standing relationship with the tournament.
In an intriguing twist, Djokovic finds himself under the guidance of former rival Andy Murray for this event. The famous Scot, who retired from the professional game last August, expressed his excitement at the prospect of coaching the Serbian star. “We thought we should try,” said Murray, a three-time Grand Slam winner. “Novak is not only one of the greatest tennis players; he is among the best athletes to ever play the sport.”
Read more:
Fearless Michelsen stuns Tsitsipas in Australian Open disavowal
This year, Djokovic’s family is also present, as he is accompanied by his wife and two children, adding a new dynamic to his campaign.
Basavareddy, still a teenager, remembers growing up idolizing Djokovic. “He has been my favorite since I was six or seven years old. I watched countless games and learned as much as I could from him,” noted the young American.
Of course, many others admired Federer and Nadal, the latter boasting 22 Grand Slam titles and the former 20. Nonetheless, Djokovic remains a formidable presence on court, unfazed by the passage of time.
Despite finishing last season without a Grand Slam victory for the first time since 2017, Djokovic managed to secure a key title that had eluded him: a singles gold medal at the Olympic Games, his only triumph in a difficult year marked by knee surgery and limited success. Avoiding the ATP Finals to focus on his rehabilitation, he has since joined Murray to refine his game.
As Djokovic continues his quest for greatness, speculation has swirled about how long his career will last and what further accomplishments he could achieve. “It was discouraging to see Roger leave, especially with the impact injuries had on his career. Rafa had his struggles as well,” noted Wesley Koolhof, who retired last year after winning doubles titles men and mixed. “Still, Djokovic looks fit and ready. Eventually all legends retire, but Nole still has a lot to offer. We’ll see how many more years he can maintain this level.”
Among his competitors, there is an undeniable reverence for Djokovic’s enduring legacy and incredible talent. “For me, he remains one of the best players in the world,” said two-time Grand Slam finalist Alexander Zverev, who is ranked No. 2 in Australia this year.
