Novak Djokovic was hoping for a slightly luckier start to the season. The Serbian legend – who is intent on returning to the highest level after the difficulties of 2024 – was injured during the 2025 Australian Open and had to retire during the semifinal against Alexander Zverev.

The former world No.1 – who was booed by the Australian crowd when he came out of the RLA – suffered a tear in his left thigh that had raised fears of a two-month stop, but according to the latest rumors the injury is less serious than expected and Nole could participate as early as the Doha ATP 500 this month.

The 37-year-old from Belgrade has never hidden that Grand Slam tournaments and events in which he represents Serbia are his main goals in this last part of his glorious career. Due to the injury suffered at Melbourne Park, Novak was unable to help his country in the Davis Cup tie against Denmark that took place last weekend.

Serbia defeated by Denmark

Serbia had been sensational on the first day taking a 2-0 lead, thanks above all to Hamad Medjedovic’s feat against Holger Rune.

However, Denmark did not give up and turned the tables on the second day by finding in Elmer Moller an unexpected hero.

The latter brought Denmark the decisive point by recovering a set and a break down against Medjedovic in the last match of the tie.

This means that Djokovic will not be able to compete to win this event in 2025. Serbia were certainly underdogs without the 24-time Grand Slam champion, but they were really one step away from the feat after the first day and this mockery is atrocious.

The Davis Cup has become almost a curse for the Serbian team since the 2023 edition, when Jannik Sinner canceled three match points from Djokovic and allowed Italy to fly to the final in Malaga. Had they won that tie, Serbia would have been favourites against Australia in the final.

At almost 38 years old, Nole’s journey in this event may have definitively ended.