The tennis season has quieted down a bit after the US Open ended last week. But that doesn’t mean the excitement is gone! Ahead of the Asian swing, the Davis Cup is taking center stage with its second round of qualifiers. Players are fired up to represent their countries. Watching your favorite star go solo is one thing. Seeing them fight for a team is another. And spotting a top name like Novak Djokovic in the stands? That’s rare.

On Sunday in Athens, the 24-time Grand Slam champion turned up as a spectator with his son by his side. He was courtside for Greece’s clash with Brazil, watching Stefanos Tsitsipas take on Joao Fonseca. Both were battling to book a place in the final. But the real question: What is Nole doing there?

For starters, Novak Djokovic has planted new roots in Athens. The move first surfaced back in June when reports revealed he was leaving Monaco behind. Tensions with Serbian officials only sped things up. The fallout pushed Nole to pack up his family and head for the sea in Glyfada.

Life in Greece already looks colorful for the 24-time Slam champ. Stefan and Tara are now enrolled at a top school in Athens. Djokovic himself has been spotted hitting balls with his son at the Kavouri club. Those seaside rallies have quickly become part of his new routine.

Adding more drama to his relocation, Djokovic is about to deliver an ATP 250 to Greece for the first time in over 30 years. Once held as the Serbian Open, the tournament now returns as the ‘Hellenic Championship.’ It will run from November 2–8, 2025, at Athens’ OAKA Indoor Hall.

Djokovic sightings on tour have been fewer this year. He’s focused strictly on the Slams. Ever since winning his 100th career title in Geneva, he’s skipped warm-up events. Most recently, he came off a semifinal run at the US Open, his fourth Grand Slam semi of the year. Debate now swirls around how much longer Nole will keep at it.

The next Slam won’t come until January 2026. Will he play the Asian swing? We don’t know yet. But why he’s not playing alongside Serbia at the Davis Cup? Well, he made it clear ahead of time with an announcement alongside some more news!

Novak Djokovic reveals plans for his next tournament

Djokovic isn’t hinting at retirement just yet. Still, right after the US Open, he confirmed he wouldn’t line up for Serbia in the Davis Cup. Serbia faced Turkey in World Group 1, and the Serb had been expected to lead. But the withdrawal fit his season-long pattern, skipping smaller events to stay sharp for Slams.

He noted during a press conference after the US Open, “I wished I could have played the Davis Cup. Representing my country throughout my career has been an honor and a privilege. I always look forward to playing for Serbia, but it all depends on my body, as I want to be the best option for our team. I hope we can pass Turkey and play in the World Group next year, we deserve that. The Davis Cup changes made me happy, as we have more opportunities to compete at home.”

On the other hand, on September 11, TennisMajors brought more news: Novak Djokovic wouldn’t play at the Laver Cup in San Francisco on September 19–21. His schedule remains open-ended, but he gave one firm answer. “I’m planning to play the Athens tournament. That’s for sure. But other than that, it’s really still a question mark,” he said at the US Open. No surprise, though—the 24-time Slam champ is keeping things flexible.

The Athens stop, though, raises eyebrows. An ATP 250 isn’t usually Djokovic territory, but this event has personal meaning. Born from the old Belgrade tournament, it’s now set for Athens’ OAKA Indoor Hall from November 2. The timing is tight. The Paris Masters closes the week before, while the Nitto ATP Finals begin in Turin on November 9. Nole sits third in the Race to Turin, positioning himself firmly in the mix.

Looking to 2026, the conversation gets tougher. The Serb knows that chasing Slam number 25 means taking down Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, or both. After his US Open defeat, he admitted the grind required will be “difficult” at his age over best-of-five matches. Still, his commitment remains. “The Grand Slam season… not to say that I will skip Grand Slams,” he said. “I still want to play a full Grand Slam season next year.”

So it looks like we’ll see more of Nole before the 2025 season wraps up! What’s your take on this? Share your thoughts below!