Determined Djokovic Eyes Landmark 25th Grand Slam Triumph

Former tennis world number one Novak Djokovic has expressed his views on the extension of most ATP Masters 1000 events to 12 days, stating that they are “just way too long for me.” Djokovic is concentrating on his quest to achieve a record 25th Grand Slam title.

Speaking to reporters on Friday ahead of the Sunday start of the US Open, the last Grand Slam of 2025, Djokovic said, “To be quite frank with you, I don’t enjoy the two-week Masters events anymore.”

“It’s just way too long for me. My focus is mostly on the Slams, and I have said that before.”

“But I also like other tournaments. I’d like to play more of the other tournaments, but we have currently informally, unofficially, 12 Grand Slams a year when you think about it.”

Djokovic pointed out that both Grand Slams and other Masters events are nearly two weeks long.

At 38, Djokovic acknowledges that his priorities have shifted as his career progresses.

“I’m not chasing the rankings or building up my points or defending, et cetera,” he said. “I just don’t think about it anymore.”

“For me, it’s really about where do I find motivation and joy? Where will I be inspired to play the best tennis? And where do I care to be, really, and play?”

With family now taking precedence in his life, Djokovic stated that he is less inclined to miss significant personal milestones.

He mentioned that his daughter’s birthday falls on September 2, coinciding with the US Open quarter-finals.

“But those are types of things that I really don’t want to be missing anymore,” he commented.

Djokovic, a longstanding advocate for player involvement in issues like scheduling and compensation, believes the Masters 1000 events, which converted to 12-day events this year, are unlikely to revert to their previous one-week format.

The Canada and Cincinnati tournaments preceding the US Open became 12-day events this year.

“In the end of the day, when the players needed to be active and when there was a time of negotiations and decision-making, players weren’t participating enough,” he remarked.

Djokovic has not competed since his decisive semi-final loss to current world number one Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon in July.

Although he acknowledged coming in “cold” regarding match play, he assured that he has been training intensely, aiming for a strong showing at the latter stages of the US Open.

Djokovic, a four-time champion at Flushing Meadows, experienced his earliest Grand Slam exit since 2017 when he was defeated by Australia’s Alexei Popyrin in the third round of last year’s tournament.

This week, Djokovic also enjoyed exploring New York, including throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at a New York Yankees baseball game.

“It was a great experience,” Djokovic noted, sharing that he met Yankees star Aaron Judge.

Reflecting on his pitch, he added, “I didn’t throw that accurate, but it still wasn’t as embarrassing, I think, as some of the other guys I saw in the past.”

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