Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis titan with 24 Grand Slam titles, stands at a crossroads in his storied career. Once an unstoppable force, the 37-year-old has faced an uncharacteristic slump in 2025, with early exits and a title-less season raising questions about his hunger to chase a record-extending 25th major. Renowned coach Patrick Mouratoglou, who has mentored Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka, has pinpointed the root of Djokovic’s struggles: a lack of motivation. Drawing parallels to Williams’ own battles after amassing historic achievements, Mouratoglou argues that Djokovic’s mental edge, once his greatest weapon, is faltering now that he has surpassed rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Djokovic’s 2025 season has been a stark contrast to his dominant 2023, when he clinched three Grand Slams and the ATP Finals. This year, he has endured first-round losses in three of his last four tournaments, including straight-set defeats to Alejandro Tabilo in Monte Carlo, Matteo Arnaldi in Madrid, and Jakub Mensik in the Miami Open final. His withdrawal from the Italian Open marked the first time since 2006 he skipped the Rome Masters, a tournament he has won six times. “I was very surprised to see Novak play like that in Monte Carlo and then again in Madrid,” Mouratoglou remarked. “For a guy like him, if he doesn’t feel like playing, if he doesn’t have the motivation, I don’t think he should play because he didn’t even look like he was trying to win.”
Mouratoglou, speaking on Tennis Channel’s Second Serve, likened Djokovic’s current mindset to Serena Williams’ struggles after her 2012 Roland Garros first-round exit. “She lost in the first round of Roland Garros, but also two years without winning a Grand Slam, which is a lot for Serena,” he recalled. Williams told him she wanted “to win one more and potentially end my career,” but her resurgence—winning Wimbledon, Olympic gold, the US Open, and the WTA Championships in 2012—reignited her drive. “So that was… always chasing something for her was very important,” Mouratoglou explained. “And we see it with Novak now—that’s his big struggle. It’s not about his tennis, it’s just about him being… it’s very obvious when he plays matches and probably when he practices.”
Djokovic’s unparalleled mental fortitude has long set him apart. Mouratoglou, reflecting on the Serb’s early career, recalled a young Djokovic boldly declaring he would defeat Roger Federer in a Grand Slam match, despite the tennis world’s skepticism. “He was getting interviewed before the match and Novak said ‘I’m going to beat him,’” Mouratoglou noted, highlighting the confidence that propelled Djokovic to surpass Federer (20 Slams) and Nadal (22 Slams) with his 24 majors. Yet, with his rivals retired and his Olympic gold secured in 2024 against Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic appears to lack a defining goal. “What’s his goal now that he found out to win more Slams than his two big rivals, which were Roger and Rafa?” Mouratoglou asked.
The French Open semi-final loss to Jannik Sinner in 2025 underscored this shift. Despite commanding performances earlier in the tournament, Djokovic faltered against the Italian in straight sets, kissing the clay of Court Philippe Chatrier in an emotional farewell that sparked retirement speculation. “Do I wish to play more, yes I do. But will I be able to play here in 12 months’ time, I don’t know,” Djokovic said post-match, leaving his future uncertain. Mouratoglou emphasized that this defeat wasn’t about physical or technical shortcomings but a mental disconnect: “It’s not about the tennis, it’s more about the mental side of it.”
As Djokovic prepares for Wimbledon, where he has twice fallen to Alcaraz in thrilling finals, Mouratoglou questions whether the Serb can reignite his fire. “He’s for sure able to play much better,” the coach insisted, but warned that entering Grand Slams without match practice or a clear mindset is a gamble. Djokovic’s decision to play the ATP 250 in Geneva before Roland Garros suggests an attempt to rebuild rhythm, but his 12-6 win-loss record this season and a drop to world No. 6 reflect a player searching for purpose. With younger stars like Sinner and Alcaraz dominating, Djokovic’s quest for a 25th Grand Slam hinges on rediscovering the drive that made him the greatest of all time.
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