Though Djokovic claimed the Olympic gold medal this year, he failed to win a Grand Slam for the first time since 2017 and lost the World number one ranking in the process.

But as he recharges his batteries in the offseason, the 37-year-old will be keen to add to his Grand Slam haul in 2025, starting at the Australian Open, his most successful major.

What does Jim Courier think Novak Djokovic should do before the 2025 Australian Open?

A key moment in Novak Djokovic’s 2024 season that perhaps set the tone for his year came at the very start.

He suffered his first loss at the Australian Open since 2018 when Jannik Sinner defeated him in four sets to reach the final, before going on to win the first of his two Grand Slam titles.

Djokovic did not win either of his two meetings against Sinner in 2024 and looked more vulnerable against other players on tour.

Ahead of the new season, Jim Courier thinks Djokovic will need to make some changes if he wants to win at the highest level again, and it could be a very significant sign about his future if he does not.

“This next year is going to be super telling,” Courier said on the Tennis Channel Inside-In Podcast. “I think it’s going to be really telling whether he adds a coach to his team in the off season and shows up in Australia with a new idea and something new to think about.

“If he doesn’t he might have one foot out the door. If he does have some fresh blood in his squad then I would be bullish on him.

“That was a big moment this year when Ivanisevic departed early in the season and he seemed disinterested in some of the tournaments he played in, which is understandable when you have done everything there is to, especially when he got the gold medal.

“There is nothing in his game or his movement which would indicate that he is incapable of winning multiple majors going forward.

“It’s all about what’s between the ears and inside the heart. Does he have the passion and fury which drives him? We will see.”

What is Novak Djokovic’s approach to the 2025 season

Though he became Olympic champion, which was the final title Djokovic was desperate to add to his long list of achievements, he will be disappointed not to have won a Grand Slam title.

The closest he came to winning a major in 2024 was at Wimbledon, when he reached the final for the sixth time in a row.

But as was the case in 2023, Djokovic was beaten by Carlos Alcaraz, but rather than a five-set battle, he lost 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(4) this year.

Now looking ahead to next year, Djokovic is desperate to start the 2025 season off strong and go in search of his 25th grand Slam crown.

“Tennis is still my focus,” he told Sport Klub. “I am going at full throttle in the off-season, we go for another ride. I just needed to recharge and refresh a bit after an exhausting year.

“I am going to play in the first week of the season, I am just not sure yet where. Then, of course, the Australian Open.”

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