As the tennis world turns its gaze toward the 2025 US Open, the spotlight remains fixed on Novak Djokovic, the 38-year-old Serbian legend chasing an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title to surpass Margaret Court’s all-time record. However, his former coach, Boris Becker, has cast doubt on whether Djokovic can overcome the formidable duo of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz to achieve this historic milestone. Speaking on the *Becker Petkovic* podcast on July 18, 2025, Becker, a six-time Grand Slam champion who guided Djokovic to six Majors from 2013 to 2016, delivered a candid assessment: “That’s the big question now, because to win a Grand Slam, he probably has to beat both [Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner].” With time running out for the aging superstar, Becker’s words underscore the immense challenge facing Djokovic as he battles a new generation of tennis titans.
Djokovic’s 2025 season has been a testament to his enduring brilliance but also a stark reminder of his vulnerabilities. The Serbian reached the semi-finals of all three Majors this year—Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon—yet fell short each time. At the Australian Open, a hamstring injury forced him to retire against Alexander Zverev. In Paris, Sinner outplayed him in straight sets, a defeat repeated at Wimbledon on July 11, where the world No. 1 triumphed 3-6, 3-6, 4-6. “Against [Jannik] Sinner, in the first two sets, I think he was relatively fit,” Becker noted, acknowledging Djokovic’s physical condition but highlighting Sinner’s edge. “Sinner is Djokovic 2.0; he’s another version of Djokovic, 15 years younger. Novak knows that, too.” These losses, coupled with a third-round exit at the 2024 US Open to Alexei Popyrin, mark the first time since 2017 that Djokovic has gone a full season without a Major title.
Becker’s analysis hinges on the dominance of Sinner and Alcaraz, who have claimed every Grand Slam since the 2023 US Open, Djokovic’s last Major triumph. “That was the seventh Grand Slam tournament that either [Jannik] Sinner or [Carlos] Alcaraz won,” Becker observed, noting their stranglehold on the sport. At Wimbledon, Djokovic admitted the All England Club offered his best shot at No. 25, given his seven titles and 14 semi-final appearances there. “Wimbledon could be the best chance, because of the results I had, because of how I feel, how I play,” he said on June 28, 2025, before facing Alexandre Muller in the first round. Yet, Sinner’s straight-sets victory in the semi-finals dashed those hopes, leaving Djokovic to regroup for Flushing Meadows, starting August 24.
The Serbian’s resilience remains undeniable. His 2024 Olympic gold medal in Paris, defeating Alcaraz, proved he can still topple the best on the biggest stages. “These tournaments give me the biggest drive,” Djokovic said, emphasizing his hunger for Grand Slams. However, Becker warns that age is catching up. “He also has to realize, yes, he did injure himself a bit on match point against [Flavio] Cobolli, but at 38, you get injured more easily,” he said. Djokovic’s physical struggles, including a knee surgery after a torn meniscus at the 2024 French Open, highlight the toll of his 20-year career. Co-host Andrea Petkovic echoed Becker’s concerns, suggesting Djokovic lacks “just enough” to surpass Sinner and Alcaraz, likening him to a “third wheel” in the new era. “It must be said that on their good days, Sinner and Alcaraz are better than Djokovic is on his good days,” Becker added, noting Djokovic’s realism about his fading dominance.
Despite the odds, some remain optimistic. Jimmy Connors, an eight-time Major champion, refuses to count Djokovic out, saying, “I am not going to count him out yet. When you have got guts, you have got guts.” Connors believes Djokovic could have “something up his sleeve” for the US Open, where a fifth title would tie him with Connors, Roger Federer, and Pete Sampras for the Open Era record. Djokovic’s 2023 US Open win, his fourth at Flushing Meadows, showcased his hard-court prowess, but his 2024 loss to Popyrin, marked by 60 unforced errors, raised concerns. With new coach Andy Murray in his corner, some predict a poetic triumph in Melbourne or New York, where Djokovic has won 10 and four titles, respectively. “It feels as if the story has already been written for Novak Djokovic to win his 25th Grand Slam title,” one analyst mused, citing Murray’s influence.
As the US Open approaches, Djokovic’s quest for No. 25 carries immense weight. Becker’s sobering verdict—“The question is, how realistic are the chances he’ll win another Grand Slam now, because time is running out”—reflects the stark reality of an aging champion facing a relentless new guard. Yet, Djokovic’s iron mentality, which Becker once called his greatest asset, keeps hope alive. Whether he can defy the odds and etch his name atop tennis history remains the sport’s most compelling narrative.
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