Novak Djokovic made a surprising revelation, admitting that he lost all motivation after Rafael Nadal retired from tennis. His emotional comments came shortly after the Spaniard was honored with a heartfelt tribute at the French Open.
Djokovic recently won the Geneva Open and arrived in Paris just in time to attend Nadal’s farewell ceremony. The tribute celebrated Nadal’s incredible achievement of winning 14 titles at Roland Garros and his unmatched dominance at the tournament for nearly 20 years.
The Serb enjoyed the company of Roger Federer and Andy Murray, as the "Big Four" reunited at Court Philippe-Chatrier. They laughed, hugged, and shared a warm moment while celebrating the occasion.
During his pre-tournament press conference, Djokovic opened up about how Nadal’s retirement impacted him emotionally:
*"For me, it's been very difficult to stay motivated to compete after his retirement. Honestly, I didn't think it would affect me this way, but I feel like a part of me has gone with him, and it's been a huge challenge for me to regain the joy on the court and the strength to continue competing."*
He added:
*"When Rafa left tennis, I felt something I'd never experienced before. I thought, 'What do I do now?' On the court, I've felt discouraged, but luckily, I've found other things that inspire me to continue, and after six months, I can say that I feel much better."*
Nadal, in his farewell speech, credited his rivalries with Djokovic, Federer, and Murray for pushing him to his limits and shaping his legendary career.
### **Djokovic’s French Open 2025 Goals**
Djokovic arrives at Roland Garros fresh off a title win at the Geneva Open, where he defeated Hubert Hurkacz in the final. Speaking about his ambitions, he said:
*"I had come close to winning some important titles in recent months, but consistency is still lacking. I keep looking for confidence, the level of play, and the mobility to win another Grand Slam. That's what I want the most and why I keep playing."*
He also expressed relief at finally securing his 100th career title in Geneva:
*"Opportunities like this won't be so common for me, so I was very nervous and stressed because I knew this tournament could be one of my last chances to reach 100 titles. I'm glad to have broken the ice by achieving that longed-for victory."*
Djokovic begins his French Open campaign against Mackenzie McDonald on Tuesday, May 27.
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