The Serb has no plans to quit the sport but admits that it will be strange not competing against rivals such as Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal after a "golden era" for the men's game.

Asked if tennis is entering a new chapter, Djokovic - who will be coached by Murray at the Australian Open next year - said: "Yes and no. I am still playing and I believe I am part of a golden era.

"Federer, Nadal, Murray, Delpo, [Stan] Wawrinka... it is a very special era for our sport. Our personal careers have been influenced by all these rivalries of the last 15 years.

"For me, looking at this year, it is an incredible thing. I am a bit sad because my greatest rivals have left. A part of me, in terms of tennis, also leaves with them, but I continue to seek this motivation.

"Now I work with a new coach, one of my biggest rivals, who inspires me to see if we can achieve great things in our sport."

Djokovic endured a miserable year that saw him fail to win any of the major titles for the first time since 2017 but is still confident that he can challenge the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz for the biggest prizes.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion told the Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport: "In 2024 I didn't play much and, Olympic gold and Wimbledon final aside, it was perhaps the least profitable season in the last 10 years, with many ups and downs, issues to be resolved even on a private level.

"However, I feel that I can still play at a high level. Sinner and Alcaraz have established themselves as the two best players in the world, not forgetting [Alexander] Zverev. All of them will be the main candidates to win the Slams and other titles.

"However, physically and mentally I am ready to play my tennis again. I have the feeling that I can challenge these guys, and my experience can come in handy."