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After Novak Djokovic’s loss to Jannik Sinner at the Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia, he will head to Europe for the latter stages of the season.

Djokovic‘s 2025 campaign, while not done just yet, has been incredible, with the 38-year-old continuing to perform at the highest level in the twilight of his career.

The Serb has made the semifinals of all four Grand Slam events this year and clinched his 100th title in May at the Geneva Open, becoming the third man in history to tally a century of tour-level crowns.

While Djokovic may not have captured a 25th major, he has proven that he is still capable of fighting for the biggest prizes in tennis.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts against Valentin Vacherot of Monaco in the Men's singles Semifinals on day 13 of the 2025 Shanghai Rolex Masters at Qi Zhong Tennis Center.Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

He has also shown that he remains one of the world’s three best players and is currently third in the ‘Race to Turin’, the annual battle for a spot in the year-end ATP Finals.

Ultimately, however, for a man so used to winning tournaments on a consistent basis, 2025 has been frustrating for Djokovic, which he discussed after his defeat to Sinner in Riyadh.

Novak Djokovic reflects on his 2025 season

In his post-match press conference, the 24-time major champion said: “Look, you know, I always try to improve, as does pretty much anybody that is playing on the highest level.

“You always look to be better than what you were yesterday or last week. I know that things are a bit different for me now in terms of the level of tennis and my body. It’s not like when I was at my peak. I know that.

“But I still go. I still try to play at the highest level and compete with the best players in the world. Jannik and Carlos are, without a doubt, a few levels above all of us, but I still try to close the gap and challenge them in the biggest tournaments.”

Djokovic has lost to either Carlos Alcaraz or Sinner at three of the four Grand Slams this season.

Australian Open: Lost to Alexander Zverev in the semifinalsRoland Garros: Lost to Jannik Sinner in the semifinalsWimbledon: Lost to Jannik Sinner in the semifinalsUS Open: Lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals

“That’s what I’ve done. Four Grand Slam semi-finals this year. I’m not fully satisfied, because you know, I achieved the greatest heights in this sport so many times, and there’s always a part of me that is like, ‘only the title counts in a sense’.

“The new reality is the way it is. I have to be satisfied with being top five in the world in these circumstances. So that’s how I see it.

“I know that I’m very self-critical in the sense that I know that I can always play better, and even when I was at my highest level, I felt like I could play better.

“I think that kind of mindset really helps because you feel like you need to always have a mindset of pursuit. Pursuing the best version of yourself.

Novak Djokovic lies on the floor during his match with Jaume Munar at the 2025 Shanghai MastersPhoto by Qian Jun/MB Media/Getty Images

“You might never catch it, but you still lean towards perfectionism, whatever that is. Jannik and Carlos are playing as close to perfection right now in the last year as they can be.

“It’s quite frustrating to play them when they’re playing at such a high level, to be honest, but at the same time, it’s great to see for our sport.”

Novak Djokovic’s plans for the rest of the 2025 season

The next tournament Djokovic plans to feature in is the new-look ATP 250 event in Athens, the Hellenic Championship.

Relocated to Athens from Belgrade, the Hellenic Championship is an indoor hard-court set to take place from the second of November to the eighth.

After his run at the Shanghai Masters, Djokovic said, aside from the Athens tournament, he has not planned anything else.

He stated that he does not make long-term plans anymore, and will decide soon if he will play at the ATP Finals in Turin.