As the 2025 tennis season unfolds, Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, stands at a critical juncture in his storied career. Former World No. 2 Alex Corretja has raised poignant concerns about the Serbian’s motivation, warning that failure to secure a major title this year could jeopardize his legendary drive. “If he doesn’t win a huge event or one of the big events, I’m not so sure he will ever get back the motivation,” Corretja said, reflecting on Djokovic’s challenging 2024 season, which saw no Grand Slam victories for the first time since 2017. With the French Open looming, where Djokovic begins his campaign against Alejandro Tabilo, the stakes are high for the 38-year-old to reclaim his dominance and silence doubts about his hunger.
Djokovic’s 2024 was a mixed bag, marked by a triumphant Olympic gold medal in Paris, completing his Career Golden Slam, but marred by early exits and injuries. A knee injury forced his withdrawal from the 2024 French Open quarterfinals, while shock losses in Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Indian Wells underscored a dip in form. His recent split with coach Andy Murray, after a six-month partnership that yielded an Australian Open semifinal and a Miami Open final, has intensified scrutiny. “It’s not a matter of Andy Murray or bringing in Andre Agassi or Pete Sampras or Rafa Nadal or Roger Federer. It’s about Novak Djokovic’s feelings,” Corretja emphasized, urging the Serb to look inward for motivation. The Spaniard, a two-time French Open finalist, believes Djokovic must rediscover his inner fire to compete with younger stars like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who dominated 2024’s majors.
The 2025 season is pivotal for Djokovic, who turned 38 in May. His first clay-court win of the year, a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Marton Fucsovics at the Geneva Open, followed by a semifinal run, offers hope as he prepares for Roland Garros. “I will arrive in the final with confidence and excellent sensations,” Djokovic said after reaching the Geneva final, where he defeated Cameron Norrie in three sets. Yet, Corretja warns that Djokovic must adapt his game to counter the speed and aggression of players like Sinner, who bested him at the 2024 Australian Open and Shanghai Masters, and Alcaraz, who outplayed him in the 2024 Wimbledon final. “I think he needs to do different things for sure,” Corretja noted, suggesting a more aggressive approach to keep pace with the new generation.
Djokovic’s resilience is legendary, with 12 of his 24 Grand Slam titles won after age 30, defying the aging curve that halted Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at 36. His meticulous fitness regimen, including hyperbaric chambers and a gluten-free diet, has kept him competitive, but injuries like a 2025 Australian Open hamstring tear and a Miami eye infection have tested his limits. “I’m glad that I found, at least in Miami, that joy on the court,” Djokovic said, reflecting on his 6-2, 6-3 win over Grigor Dimitrov to reach the final. Facing Tabilo, who upset him in Rome last year, Djokovic’s first-round match at Roland Garros is a chance to set the tone. A favorable draw avoids Sinner and Alcaraz until the semifinals, but early tests like Tabilo and potential clashes with Alexander Zverev loom large.
Off the court, Djokovic’s commitment to family and his Novak Djokovic Foundation, supporting education in Serbia, grounds him. His decision to play a reduced schedule, skipping events like the ATP Finals, reflects a desire to balance tennis with personal life. “Family life is very important to me,” he said, prioritizing time with his wife, Jelena, and their children. Corretja’s advice resonates: “He needs to keep on going, searching inside again and see what he feels he can still achieve.” As Djokovic steps onto Court Philippe-Chatrier, the tennis world watches to see if he can reignite his drive and add to his record-breaking legacy, or if 2025 will mark the twilight of a titan.
# Djokovic’s Drive Under Scrutiny for 2025 French Open
## A Critical Season
Alex Corretja has questioned Novak Djokovic’s motivation, warning, “If he doesn’t win a huge event or one of the big events, I’m not so sure he will ever get back the motivation.” After a title-less 2024, marked by a knee injury and early exits, Djokovic’s 2025 season is pivotal. His recent split with coach Andy Murray underscores the need for self-driven fire as he aims for a 25th Grand Slam at Roland Garros.
## Struggles and Resilience
Djokovic’s 2024 saw Olympic gold but no majors, with losses to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. “It’s not a matter of Andy Murray or bringing in Andre Agassi or Pete Sampras or Rafa Nadal or Roger Federer. It’s about Novak Djokovic’s feelings,” Corretja said, urging introspection. A 6-2, 6-3 win over Marton Fucsovics in Geneva and a final run signal hope. “I will arrive in the final with confidence and excellent sensations,” Djokovic said.
## Adapting to the New Guard
Corretja believes Djokovic must play more aggressively to counter Sinner and Alcaraz. “I think he needs to do different things for sure,” he noted, citing their speed. Djokovic’s Miami Open final, where he said, “I’m glad that I found… that joy on the court,” shows his potential. Facing Alejandro Tabilo in the French Open’s first round, he aims to avoid past upsets and navigate a draw that delays Sinner and Alcaraz until the semifinals.
## Legacy and Balance
With 12 majors post-30, Djokovic defies age, but injuries like a 2025 hamstring tear challenge him. His focus on family—“Family life is very important to me”—and his foundation reflects his priorities. Corretja’s call to “keep on going, searching inside” frames Djokovic’s Roland Garros campaign as a test of whether he can reclaim his drive and cement his GOAT status.
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