Novak Djokovic is not used to losing very much throughout his illustrious career, but one had him rethinking his entire profession.
The Serbian has dominated the sport for decades, winning every accolade possible several times over in tennis.
Djokovic is still playing to a high level, thanks to some guidance from Roger Federer, as he’s still achieving some success on the tour at the age of 38.
15 years before the twilight of his career, Djokovic suffered a loss so demoralising he thought about quitting tennis.
Novak Djokovic’s 2010 Roland Garros loss nearly forced him to quit
Djokovic suffered a shock loss to Jurgen Melzer at the 2010 Roland Garros, despite the Serbian being two sets up.
The loss was such a blow the star reevaluated his entire career and even thought about moving on from the game.
“I cried a lot after this defeat,” Djokovic said to Sky Sports. “I really did not see a reason to keep on playing, I wanted to quit tennis.”
However, the ‘rock bottom’ moment allowed the 24-time Grand Slam winner to find a new perspective in the game.
“After that moment, I felt I was freed,” Djokovic added. A year later, Djokovic won three out of four Grand Slams, with Roland Garros the only outlier.
Novak Djokovic’s final Grand Slam chance is Wimbledon, says former World No. 1
Djokovic’s time is running out to win one final Grand Slam, but Andy Roddick believes it can only happen at 2025’s Wimbledon.
The Serbian has not won a Grand Slam since the US Open at 2023, but he has reached the latter stages of several tournaments.
Former World No. 1 Roddick believes Wimbledon provides the greatest – and last – chance for Djokovic to win a major.
“I would suspect that he walks into Wimbledon saying, ‘This is my best chance to win a major’, and making the semis at Roland Garros increases his chances of doing well at Wimbledon.
“He got the pacing of a Grand Slam event,” continued Roddick. “It is not five months in between where he has to pace himself and first-round losses, even though it does nothing for me. It is coming quickly.”
Djokovic will not play a tournament between Roland Garros and Wimbledon.