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Djokovic: Motivation shifted, but passion strong for French Open

Posted : 22 April 2025

Novak Djokovic is set to make his return to the Madrid Open this week, marking his first appearance at the tournament since 2022. The Serbian star, who boasts 24 Grand Slam titles, has been candid about the shift in his motivation following the retirements of his long-standing rivals, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Despite the absence of these tennis icons, Djokovic emphasized that his desire to compete and passion for the game are still burning strong, especially with major tournaments like the French Open on the horizon.


So far in 2025, Djokovic hasn't managed to capture a title, with his best performance coming in Miami, where he reached the final. As he gears up for the Madrid Open, he is in pursuit of a personal milestone—his 100th career title. When asked if the retirements of Nadal and Federer have affected his drive, Djokovic acknowledged that their absence may have impacted him slightly. However, he made it clear that if he truly lacked motivation, he wouldn’t still be competing on the tour.


“I wouldn’t be here if the passion was gone,” he said. “My love for the sport and hunger for big victories remain intact. The Grand Slams, in particular, continue to be my main source of motivation. That’s where I want to perform my best and leave a lasting mark.”


His clay court campaign didn’t get off to the most promising start, as he suffered a disappointing straight-set loss to Alejandro Tabilo in Monte Carlo. Now back in Madrid, Djokovic is hoping to find better rhythm and momentum on clay as he builds towards Roland-Garros. Reflecting on his chances in the Spanish capital, he admitted that his form hasn’t been great but maintained his belief that things can turn around quickly.


Djokovic spoke fondly of his return to Madrid and Spain as a whole, calling the country one of his favorites. “I’ve always had great matches here, especially those battles with Nadal and Alcaraz. I haven’t played much in Spain over the last few years, so I really missed the crowd. The Spanish fans are very knowledgeable and passionate about tennis, and I feel a great connection with them.”

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