Novak Djokovic made a very surprising scheduling decision after his early loss at the 2024 US Open.
The 37-year-old Serbian took a few weeks away from competing on the ATP Tour after his historic win at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. He didn't compete at the Canadian Open and also missed the Cincinnati Open, where he was the defending champion.
Still, the 24-time major winner made his way to New York, competing at the 2024 US Open, eyeing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title. However, his campaign ended already in the third round when he lost to Alexei Popyrin 4-6, 4-6, 6-2, 4-6.
It was clear that Djokovic wasn't mentally ready to compete, and he also maybe lacked physically. Therefore, one of the main questions after his loss was what would be the World No. 2's next step.
There are multiple tournaments running in Asia during the last hard-court part of the season, but the Serbian player doesn't appear on the entry list for the China Open in Beijing and Japan Open in Tokyo, which run in the last week of September.
After his loss at Flushing Meadows, the Serbian admitted that he needed to look on his result from the bigger perspective, saying that he has to look at 'what to do next'.
"Sitting from a larger perspective, of course I have to be content. It’s hard to see the big perspective right now. You’re just angry and upset that you lost and the way you played and that’s it. But tomorrow is a new day, and I will obviously think about what to do next."
It seems that he now knows what he wants to do next, and surprisingly, the 37-year-old player will return to the tennis courts even sooner than in the last week of September.
It won't be an an ATP tournament, however, as he chose to help his country, representing Serbia in a World Group I tie at the 2024 Davis Cup against Stefanos Tsitsipas' Greece.
In February this year, Serbia was shockingly eliminated from the Davis Cup Qualifier, meaning they didn't get a chance to compete at the Davis Cup Finals, and if they want to fight for that chance in the Qualifiers again next year, they have to win their World Group I tie.
That will be a very difficult tie, as Tsitsipas should lead his country against Serbia, and that might be also one of the reasons why Djokovic surprisingly chose to compete at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in Belgrade, Serbia, from September 14th to 15th.
Previously, it was reported that Djokovic could play at the Davis Cup, but given the latest circumstances and clear need for mental and physical rest for the Serbian player, this decision comes as a surprise.
Serbian Tennis Federation announced the news on their official website, confirming that Team Captain Viktor Troicki nominated Djokovic for the tie alongside Miomir Kecmanovic, Dusan Lajovic, and Hamad Medjedovic, with injured Laslo Djere missing out on the nomination.
"Davis Cup coach of the Serbian national team, Viktor Troicki, has named the team that will face Greece in World Group I in Belgrade on September 14 and 15."
"The list includes Novak Djokovic, Miomir Kecmanovic, Dusan Lajovic and Hamad Medjedovic, while the sparring partner will be the junior national team member Marko Maksimovic. The injured Laszlo Djere is not on the list."
"As the Greeks announce their arrival in the best lineup, the Novak Djokovic - Stefanos Tsitsipas derby is expected on Sunday, right after the doubles."
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