In the ever-evolving world of professional tennis, where mental fortitude often separates the great from the greatest, Novak Djokovic finds himself at a crossroads. The 37-year-old Serbian legend, with an unparalleled 24 Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold medal, has little left to prove. Yet, renowned coach Patrick Mouratoglou, who has guided stars like Serena Williams and now mentors Naomi Osaka, recently shed light on a challenge that Djokovic is grappling with: a lack of motivation. Drawing parallels to the twilight of Williams’ career, Mouratoglou’s insights paint a compelling picture of a champion wrestling with the question of purpose in a sport he has already conquered.
Djokovic’s 2024 was a mixed bag, highlighted by his long-sought Olympic triumph in Paris, where he defeated Carlos Alcaraz to claim the only major accolade missing from his illustrious resume. However, the season also saw uncharacteristic struggles, including a title-less run on the ATP Tour since his 2023 US Open victory and a shocking third-round exit at Indian Wells to Botic van de Zandschulp. “I’m disappointed that I lost, but I guess, you know, if you put things in that larger perspective, of course I’ve had an incredible career,” Djokovic reflected after the defeat, acknowledging the weight of his sustained excellence. His collaboration with new coach Andy Murray, a former rival, has yielded inconsistent results, prompting speculation about his drive as he approaches his 38th birthday.
Mouratoglou, speaking to a French broadcaster, compared Djokovic’s current mindset to that of Serena Williams during her final years on tour. “What Novak is going through now is exactly what Serena faced,” he observed. “When you’ve won everything, when you’ve achieved every goal, the question becomes: what’s left to chase?” Williams, under Mouratoglou’s guidance from 2012 to 2022, won 10 of her 23 Grand Slam titles but struggled with motivation after breaking Steffi Graf’s Open Era record. Similarly, Djokovic, having surpassed Roger Federer’s 20 and Rafael Nadal’s 22 Majors, faces the challenge of finding new mountains to climb. “It’s not physical or technical—it’s about purpose,” Mouratoglou emphasized, suggesting that Djokovic’s recent losses stem from a mental rather than a physical decline.
The Frenchman’s perspective is informed by his deep understanding of elite athletes. Having coached Williams through her own battles with purpose, Mouratoglou sees Djokovic questioning his place in a sport increasingly dominated by younger stars like Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. “Novak will end his career earlier than 41 years old, I think, but it all depends on his motivation,” Mouratoglou predicted earlier this year, a sentiment that resonates as Djokovic skips tournaments like the Madrid Open to focus on Roland Garros preparation. His 2025 season began with a solid Australian Open quarter-final, though he withdrew from the semi-finals due to a minor hamstring injury, later deemed non-serious by medical staff. “As per the report, the Serbian great, with daily therapists and treatments, has repaired the injury,” a source noted, confirming his readiness for upcoming events like the Qatar Open.
Despite these setbacks, Djokovic remains a formidable force. His mental strength, which Mouratoglou has called “the most important thing” in tennis, has been his hallmark, enabling him to win matches at less than full capacity. “Those guys are able to still compete and win, at 30, 40, 50% of what they can do, which is amazing, and it’s the quality of the champions,” Mouratoglou said, praising Djokovic’s ability to outlast opponents like Alcaraz in Melbourne despite physical limitations. Yet, the Serbian’s recent admission that “being consistent for so many years, obviously you have high expectations of yourself” hints at the toll of maintaining such lofty standards.
As Djokovic prepares for the clay season, with Roland Garros looming as a chance to add to his legacy, the tennis world watches closely. Will he rediscover the fire that fueled his dominance, or will the lack of new goals signal the beginning of the end? Mouratoglou’s comparison to Williams offers a sobering reminder that even the greatest champions face moments of doubt. For now, Djokovic’s unparalleled resilience and “relentless self-belief,” as Mouratoglou once described, keep him in the fight, ready to write the next chapter of his storied career.
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