Can Novak Djokovic's 2024 season be considered a success despite winning zero ATP titles?
Another loss in a final, this time at the hands of Jannik Sinner at the Shanghai Masters, has all but confirmed that Novak Djokovic will end his 2024 season without winning a single ATP title. The Serbian star has never gone a complete season without winning a trophy since winning his maiden ATP title at the Dutch Open in 2006.
Djokovic came close to winning a trophy this season as he reached the final at Wimbledon and the Shanghai Masters. However, the Serb was beaten by the two new up-and-coming tennis stars Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic managed to win the gold medal at the Paris Olympics to arguably turn his season into a success, and he would be hopeful of winning more titles in 2025.
Despite a disappointing 2024 season, Djokovic is hungry for more success in 2025
Novak Djokovic kick-started his 2024 season by competing at the Australian Open. The Serbian star reached the semifinal in Melbourne before being knocked out by Jannik Sinner. He followed it up by losing in the early stages at the Indian Wells and Monte-Carlo Masters before suffering a shock semifinal loss at the Geneva ATP 250 tournament.
Djokovic looked back to his best at the French Open but had to withdraw before his quarterfinal clash against Casper Ruud due to a knee injury. After surgery and some time off court, the Serb was back competing at his beloved Wimbledon, where Carlos Alcaraz beat him in the final.
This Wimbledon loss to Alcaraz was followed by an Olympic gold medal which salvaged Djokovic's season. Novak Djokovic's Olympic success in Paris has shed a different light on his poor 2024 season.
Despite not winning a single ATP title throughout the year, this season will go down as a successful campaign in Djokovic's career thanks to his Olympic triumph. Now, the Serb could potentially win the ATP Finals in Turin to win his first trophy of the season but his participation at the year-end tournament is uncertain.
Speaking to the media after his Shanghai Masters defeat, Djokovic admitted that he was disappointed by his level this year but was happy to win his maiden Olympic gold medal. The Serb claimed that he is looking forward to competing again next year and has aimed for more Grand Slam success.
"This has been one of my worst performing season in terms of results, it was going to come at some point and that’s ok, I’m happy with my gold medal. It’s not a live or die type of a goal for me. I achieved all of my biggest goals in my career. Right now, it’s all about the Slams and seeing how far I can push the far for myself," Djokovic said.
With zero ATP titles throughout the year but the all-important Olympic gold medal under his belt, Djokovic might have turned around a potentially trophyless season into one of the best of his career.
Novak Djokovic's Olympic triumph has turned his 2024 season into a success
One of Djokovic's main ambitions for the 2024 season was to win the Olympic gold medal, the only title that eluded him throughout his illustrious career. When the Serb finally won the final against Alcaraz in front of a packed house in Paris, you could feel a weight lifted off his shoulders.
With his Olympic gold medal, Djokovic joined Andre Agassi and Rafael Nadal as the only men's players in the Open Era to complete a Career Golden Slam in the singles division.
This was possibly Djokovic's last chance to compete at the Olympics and represent his country. Winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics has instantly turned around a lackluster, trophyless season into one that he will never forget.
If you had offered Djokovic the current scenario before the start of the season, with him winning zero trophies all season but clinching the Olympic gold medal for Serbia, he would have bitten your hand off.
Djokovic's 2024 season has been a success and with the 24-time Grand Slam champion still searching for a record-breaking 100th career title, there is no doubt that the Serbian star will be more hungry than ever come the Australian Open in 2025.