The spotlight is burning brightly in Paris as the 2025 French Open rolls into its second week. Among the tournament’s defining storylines is Novak Djokovic‘s pursuit of a historic 25th Grand Slam title, a milestone that would push him even further ahead in the greatest-of-all-time conversation.
While rising stars and established champions vie for the Coupe des Mousquetaires, Djokovic‘s presence has attracted admiration from fans, pundits, and fellow legends of the game – including Venus Williams.
The seven-time Grand Slam champion is covering the action as a TNT Sports commentator, and when asked who she’s pulling for at Roland Garros, her admiration for Djokovic was unmistakable.
“Who knows what will happen,” Williams said, “but I’d love to see Coco [Gauff] win and on the men’s side I’m a big Djokovic fan. I’d love to see him come in with title number 25, right? 25.
“It’d be huge. And we can’t lose him. We need him in the sport a few more years. We’ve lost Rafa, we lost Federer, we gotta keep him a little while longer.”
Her comments reflect a sentiment shared by many in the tennis world: Djokovic is the last remaining figure from a golden era that transformed the sport.
Djokovic stands alone in a post-Federer and Nadal era
With Roger Federer having retired in 2022 and Rafael Nadal calling time on his career in late 2024, Djokovic is now the final torchbearer of the legendary “Big Three.”
Together, the trio defined two decades of men’s tennis, pushing each other to ever greater heights. Federer ended his career with 20 majors, Nadal with 22 – and Djokovic leads them both with 24 and counting.
Djokovic admitted the recent retirements of his great rivals have left him reflective. “Honestly, I was thinking about my end of the road as well,” he told reporters after attending Nadal’s final match at Roland Garros. “I was talking to Federer and Murray about their goodbyes and reminiscing and reflecting on the rivalries.”
He added, “Of course, part of me is proud that I’m still there, that I’m still going. But at the same time, I was, and I still am a bit sad that they’re all gone, because those guys were my greatest motivations of why I competed so intensely and for so long.”
Now 38, Djokovic is still defying the odds. Just before the French Open, he captured his 100th career title at the ATP 250 event in Geneva, suggesting he’s far from finished. “After Geneva, I feel better, I still have a lot of ambitions, I still have high objectives,” he said.
As he continues his 2025 Roland Garros campaign, Djokovic remains in contention for yet another major, and Williams isn’t alone in rooting for him. Whether he adds No. 25 in Paris or later in the year, one thing is clear – tennis still needs Novak Djokovic, and as Williams put it, losing him now would be a blow the sport isn’t ready for.
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