Marcos Baghdatis talks about Novak Djokovic’s current situation on the circuit compared to his direct rivals.
The role of Novak Djokovic is becoming increasingly challenging due to the high intensity of the younger generation pressing to reach the top of the ATP Rankings and compete for major titles. Despite the tremendous rise of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, the Serbian has made it clear on several occasions that he wants to continue battling on the biggest stages.
It’s no secret that Djokovic’s main goal is the Grand Slams, tournaments where he strives to give his 100% in every match to have a chance at being in that final battle for the title. The 2025 season has not been easy for the Serbian despite reaching the semifinals in all four Grand Slams.
“Year after year, the chances are getting slimmer, that’s for sure, but he’s still there, still among the top five players in the world, still competing with the top two, even with the top three,” asserted Marcos Baghdatis in an interview with Tennis365.
“He’s still there, but for how much longer, I think it depends solely on him, especially on his mentality, on whether he continues to enjoy and play at that level. If I were in his shoes, I wouldn’t retire either, but it all depends on him. Things will only get more complicated.”
Novak Djokovic, a very special rival
“Whenever I played against Novak, the matches were very even, that’s my opinion. Maybe I’m wrong, but that’s what I recall. Once he gave me a good beating, at Indian Wells. It was a 6-1, 6-3. I walked off the court feeling like I had been taught a lesson. I never felt that way with any other player. I never felt that way with Roger or Rafa, even when I was younger playing against Roger, I always thought: ‘Next time, I can beat him.’ I always felt that, but with Novak it was… I didn’t have that feeling, especially after that match.”
