Novak Djokovic’s voice carried the weight of reality after yet another Grand Slam slipped through his grasp. “It’s just age, the wear and tear of the body,” the 38-year-old said moments after Jannik Sinner had dismissed him in straight sets (6-3, 6-3, 6-4) at Wimbledon, putting a halt to the Serbian’s hopes of a record 25th Grand Slam. Still, despite the signs of time catching up, Djokovic isn’t ready to fade quietly. Instead, the loss at the All England Club appears to have only sharpened his resolve.

Djokovic has long treated his calendar like a chessboard, carefully maneuvering around tournaments to conserve energy and prolong his dominance. In 2025, that caution has been even more visible. The Serbian star played just two matches on clay before Roland Garros, Monte Carlo and Madrid, exiting early in both. Most notably, he skipped the Rome Masters for the first time since 2007. And ahead of Wimbledon, he opted out of all grass-court warmup events.

But following his latest Grand Slam disappointment, Djokovic appears to be changing course. The 38-year-old has committed to the Canadian Open Masters, marking his return to the tournament after a seven-year absence. It’s a venue where he has enjoyed plenty of success, winning four times (2007, 2011, 2012, and 2016), along with a runner-up finish in 2015. losing to Andy Murray (6–4, 4–6, 6–3). His final victories came against some of the sport’s biggest names, including Roger Federer, Mardy Fish, Richard Gasquet, and Kei Nishikori.

Notably, Djokovic had missed last year’s event owing to the Paris Olympics—a stage that he had failed to tame except for a bronze at the 2008 Beijing Games. “While we’re disappointed that Novak will be unable to take part in this year’s tournament, we understand his decision and wish him the best at the Olympics and the remainder of his season. He’s an incredible player, and we know our fans were excited to have him back at IGA Stadium this summer. That being said, our tournament still boasts an exceptional list of players for this year’s event with 42 of the 43 best players in the world, and we can’t wait to see them in action soon,” Montreal tournament director Valérie Tétreault said last year.

Interestingly, the year prior to that, the 38-year-old was not allowed to compete owing to his unvaccinated status against COVID-19.

Having said that, as for this year’s tournament, the National Bank Open will feature its most stacked field yet, with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz leading the charge. And by the likes of it, Sinner is surely excited fresh off a career-high. “I’m very much looking forward to being back in Toronto for the National Bank Open presented by Rogers. This tournament will always hold a special place in my heart, as Toronto is where I won my first big title. The fans in Canada made the victory all the more special, and I can’t wait to play in front of them once again,” he said as reported by ATP Tour’s official website. What’s more?

Unveiling the full entry list on Wednesday, Tennis Canada also confirmed the tournament’s expanded 96-player format over 12 days.

“With a 96-player draw, six additional sessions, and the strongest player field in our history, we are thrilled to be entering a bold new era of the National Bank Open presented by Rogers, kicking off our redefined identity as the Tennis Playground,” Tournament Director Karl Hale said.

For Djokovic, the hard-court push is all about gearing up for the US Open, the lone major left on the 2025 calendar. It’s also the Slam that helped him break the all-time Grand Slam record 2 years back when he won his 24th title in New York. Now, the chase for 25 continues, but the path is far from clear.

Novak Djokovic admits defeating Sinner and Alcaraz is nearly impossible

Since the start of 2024, Sinner and Alcaraz have owned the majors, splitting titles and tightening their grip on the men’s game. And Djokovic knows better than anyone what it means to face them when the stakes are high.

“I guess playing best-of-five, particularly this year, has been a real struggle for me physically. The longer the tournament goes, the worse the condition gets,” Novak Djokovic said after his Wimbledon loss. “I reach the final stages; I reach the semis of every Slam this year, but I have to play Sinner or Alcaraz. These guys are fit, young, sharp. I feel like I’m going into the match with tank half empty. It’s just not possible to win a match like that.”

He also opened up about the toll that staying competitive has taken on his body. “I don’t know what I can do differently, because the amount of hours that I spend on a daily basis to take care of myself, I’d like to challenge everyone who is out there on the tour to see if anybody takes care of themselves more than me,” the 24-time Grand Slam champ said.

Djokovic still managed a 26-9 record so far this season. He reiterated in London that he plans to return to Wimbledon next year and has no immediate plans to walk away. “Several” more years, he said, remain in him.

His decision to play in Toronto isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s a calculated move to stay sharp for the final Slam of the year. The clock may be ticking, but Novak Djokovic isn’t done yet. He’s back in the mix, and this time, he wants to be ready. Do you think he will lift his 25th major title soon?