rich9 Novak Djokovic: Serbian Wants To Play At Top Level For 'Many Years To Come'

Novak Djokovic pictured on the practice courts in Brisbane Novak Djokovic pictured on the practice courts in Brisbane

Novak Djokovic insists he can play at the top level for many years to comerich9, as he looks to get his world ranking "back where it should be" following a disappointing 2024. (More Tennis News)

Last year was the first in which Djokovic did not win a single grand slam title since 2017, and just the second since 2010.

The 24-time major champion reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open and the final of Wimbledon, only to be trounced by Carlos Alcaraz in that SW19 showpiece match.

He was dumped out of the US Open in the third round by Alexei Popyrin and dropped to a lowly seventh in the end-of-year ATP Rankings, with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz winning two major titles apiece.

Djokovic is hoping for a vast improvement in 2025, though, as he prepares to open his campaign at the Brisbane International, where he is the top seed.

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"I'm looking to play more tournaments this year than I played last season, so hopefully also my level is going to go up," Djokovic said.

"Hopefully I will win a few more tournaments and my ranking will go up to where it should be."

Belgium were ahead 2-0 at half-time with goals from Ambre Ballenghien (14th minute) and Vanessa Blockmans (20th). Both the Belgium goals came from penalty corners.

Araijeet Singh Hundal put India in the lead in the 11th minute with a fine field goal before Felix Denayer (30th minute) restored parity just a few seconds before halftime off a penalty corner.

Rinky Hijikata will be Djokovic's opening opponent at his first official tournament since finishing as runner-up at the Shanghai Masters in October.

He will then head to Melbourne Park for the Australian Open, which starts on January 6 and concludes on January 26.

Djokovic has seen his fierce rivals Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal hang up their rackets in recent years, but the 37-year-old is not thinking of retirement just yet.

"The way I'm feeling today, I still think that I can go strong for years to come," he said.

"But how long I'm going to feel motivated to keep going is unpredictable. I still love this sport and I still love competing."

Djokovic will also play doubles at the Brisbane International alongside Nick Kyrgios, who is returning to action after a series of injuries limited him to one singles match in two years.

Salt and vinegar, bacon and eggs, lamb and tuna fish. Everyone loves an odd couplerich9, right?Nick and Novak are going to be good fun, aren't they.https://t.co/7IouMO8u30

— Brisbane International (@BrisbaneTennis) December 29, 2024