‘I still don’t feel it’s enough for me’ – Novak Djokovic makes telling motivation comment
Novak Djokovic has proclaimed that greatness “changes its shape” as he addressed his chances of replicating the results he produced when at his best.
The tennis legend has had a challenging 2025 campaign so far, having lost his first match at four of the seven tournaments he has played.
The latest of these opening match defeats was against Matteo Arnaldi in the second round of the Madrid Masters — a third consecutive straight-sets loss.
Following his disappointing early exit in Madrid, Djokovic made the surprise move to withdraw from the Italian Open.
This will leave the 37-year-old with just two clay matches under his belt heading into the French Open, unless he adds an event to his schedule in between Rome and Roland Garros.
Despite the low points for Djokovic this year, he displayed an elite level at the Australian Open, where he defeated Tomas Machac, Jiri Lehecka and Carlos Alcaraz before a hamstring injury ended his run in the semi-finals.
The Serbian was also a runner-up at the Miami Masters, where he won five matches in dominant fashion before falling to an inspired Jakub Mensik.
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In an interview with Business Traveler USA, Djokovic made a telling statement by revealing he is still not satisfied with what he has accomplished.
“Obviously it’s challenging for me nowadays to produce the results I had when I was at my best,” the former world No 1 said.
“It doesn’t mean that I will never be able to do that again. But that greatness changes its shape, and that’s because you’re a different person on an annual basis, on a monthly basis, on a weekly basis.
“Tennis is a sport where it’s necessary to nurture that mentality of, ‘It’s never enough’. Because once it’s enough, then it’s really enough and you have to put the racket aside. And I still… I still don’t feel it’s enough for me.”
Djokovic won his 24th and most recent major at the 2023 US Open — his third Slam of an outstanding campaign. He was a finalist at Wimbledon in 2024, losing to Alcaraz.
The world No 5’s 99th and most recent title came at the 2024 Paris Olympics in August, where he secured a maiden gold medal with a stunning win over Alcaraz in the final.
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