Novak Djokovic has made his intentions clear ahead of his return to competition. He dropped a four-word message as he ramps up preparations on the red dirt just days before the Geneva Open and, more crucially, the 2025 French Open.
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The timing of Djokovic’s training update couldn’t be more telling. After a turbulent stretch following the Australian Open and a recent coaching split with Andy Murray, Djokovic is recalibrating his campaign in hopes of reigniting form on clay.
The 37-year-old has been noticeably absent from the court since early May, having skipped the Italian Open due to concerns over his physical condition. But with Roland Garros fast approaching, the Serb is back in Belgrade, grinding through intense sessions wearing braces on the knees with fellow countryman Miomir Kecmanović.
Djokovic’s abbreviated collaboration with Murray came to an end last week, capping a six-month partnership that began with promise but fizzled amid a string of underwhelming results. While he made the semifinals in Melbourne and reached the final in Miami, where 19-year-old Czech player Jakub Mensik shocked him in straight sets, Djokovic’s clay season has been anything but smooth.
Earlier this week, both Djokovic and Murray issued statements confirming their split. The Serbian star shared a message on social media to express his gratitude, writing:
“Thank you, coach Andy, for all the hard work, fun & support over last six months on & off the court. I really enjoyed deepening our friendship together.”
Murray responded with appreciation, thanking Djokovic for the “incredible opportunity” and extending his best wishes for the rest of the season.
“Thanks to Novak for the unbelievable opportunity to work together and thanks to his team for all their hard work over the past six months. I wish Novak all the best for the rest of the season.”
Early exits in Monte Carlo and Madrid, followed by his Rome withdrawal, left fans and pundits questioning whether the aging champion could still mount a serious challenge in Paris. But if his latest training clips are any indication, Djokovic is far from throwing in the towel.
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In a subtle yet pointed message shared on his official social media accounts, Djokovic posted several photos of himself in mid-drill, visibly focused and clad in his training gear on the red courts of Belgrade.
He captioned his post in just four words, writing, “Work hard. Clay hard.”
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The phrase is a declaration of intent from the Serb, who is chasing his 100th career title. This milestone could potentially arrive next week at the Geneva Open, where he is set to play for only the second time in his career.
