As the 2025 French Open looms on the horizon, Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis legend with 24 Grand Slam titles, faces a formidable challenge that could jeopardize his quest for a record-extending 25th major at Roland Garros. Mats Wilander, a former World No. 1 and seven-time Grand Slam champion, has sounded a cautionary note about Djokovic’s prospects, pointing to a significant “problem” that could hinder his performance on the Parisian clay. At 38, Djokovic is navigating uncharted territory in his illustrious career, and Wilander’s analysis underscores the shifting dynamics that threaten to test the Serbian’s dominance in a way he’s rarely experienced.
Djokovic’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster, marked by uncharacteristic struggles on clay. Early exits in Madrid and Monte Carlo, where he lost his opening matches, raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike. His frustration was palpable during a semifinal run in Geneva, where he smashed his racket after falling behind against Matteo Arnaldi, though he ultimately secured a 6-4, 6-4 victory. “I’m not a main favourite to land the trophy this year,” Djokovic admitted, a rare acknowledgment of vulnerability from a player who has long been a titan of the sport. His recent split with coach Andy Murray further complicates his preparation, as he enters Roland Garros with limited clay-court match play and a new coaching dynamic to navigate.
Wilander, known for his keen insights as a Eurosport pundit, pinpointed the core issue: Djokovic’s aura of invincibility is fading. “The only problem is that other players suddenly believe that they can beat Novak Djokovic, and that’s something that they haven’t believed before,” Wilander said. In previous years, Djokovic’s reputation alone often secured him straightforward wins, conserving energy for the grueling later rounds of Grand Slams. Now, with younger players like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner rising, and veterans like Hubert Hurkacz pushing him to the brink—evidenced by their epic Geneva final—opponents approach matches with newfound confidence. “When matches are more complicated, suddenly you have three matches in a row which are four hours or more, and that becomes a physical issue,” Wilander explained, highlighting the toll that extended battles could take on the aging star.
This new reality marks a significant shift for Djokovic, who has thrived on his ability to dominate physically and mentally. His 2024 season was trophy-less on the ATP Tour, save for a golden triumph over Alcaraz at the Paris Olympics, and his recent losses to players like Jakub Mensik in the Miami Open final signal a dip in form. “He hasn’t had those problems before because he’s been so much better than everybody,” Wilander noted, emphasizing how Djokovic’s once-impenetrable armor is now showing cracks. The Serbian’s first-round matchup against Mackenzie McDonald at Roland Garros is winnable, but the prospect of facing top seeds like Sinner or Alcaraz in later rounds looms large. Wilander believes these players, particularly Alcaraz, who bested Sinner 7-6, 6-1 in the Italian Open final, are the favorites to claim the title, with Djokovic facing an uphill battle to match their intensity over five sets.
Adding to the intrigue is the specter of retirement rumors, with Wilander suggesting, “There’s a possibility that it’s his last French Open.” Djokovic, however, remains defiant. “Tennis is a sport where it’s necessary to nurture that mentality of, ‘It’s never enough,’” he recently told Business Traveler, signaling his refusal to step away despite the challenges. His meticulous approach to fitness—through hyperbaric chambers and a gluten-free diet—has kept him competitive into his late 30s, a feat mirrored by few in tennis history. Yet, the physical demands of clay, with its long rallies and sliding footwork, amplify the strain on his body, especially after a knee injury sidelined him in 2024’s tournament.
Djokovic’s storied history at Roland Garros, where he has won three titles, including a dramatic 2023 victory, offers hope. His ability to adapt, as seen in his 2021 semifinal upset over Rafael Nadal, dubbed by Wilander as one of the greatest clay-court matches ever, showcases his tactical brilliance. But with only one ATP title since the 2023 ATP Finals and a season of inconsistent results, the road to a fourth French Open crown is fraught with obstacles. “It’s a new chapter in his career,” Wilander observed, eager to see how Djokovic handles this evolving landscape.
As Paris prepares for another thrilling Grand Slam, Djokovic’s journey is a compelling narrative of resilience against the tide of time. Whether he can defy Wilander’s warnings and silence his doubters remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Serbian warrior will step onto the clay with the heart of a champion, ready to climb his personal Mount Everest once more.
As the 2025 French Open looms on the horizon, Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis legend with 24 Grand Slam titles, faces a formidable challenge that could jeopardize his quest for a record-extending 25th major at Roland Garros. Mats Wilander, a former World No. 1 and seven-time Grand Slam champion, has sounded a cautionary note about Djokovic’s prospects, pointing to a significant “problem” that could hinder his performance on the Parisian clay. At 38, Djokovic is navigating uncharted territory in his illustrious career, and Wilander’s analysis underscores the shifting dynamics that threaten to test the Serbian’s dominance in a way he’s rarely experienced.
Djokovic’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster, marked by uncharacteristic struggles on clay. Early exits in Madrid and Monte Carlo, where he lost his opening matches, raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike. His frustration was palpable during a semifinal run in Geneva, where he smashed his racket after falling behind against Matteo Arnaldi, though he ultimately secured a 6-4, 6-4 victory. “I’m not a main favourite to land the trophy this year,” Djokovic admitted, a rare acknowledgment of vulnerability from a player who has long been a titan of the sport. His recent split with coach Andy Murray further complicates his preparation, as he enters Roland Garros with limited clay-court match play and a new coaching dynamic to navigate.
Wilander, known for his keen insights as a Eurosport pundit, pinpointed the core issue: Djokovic’s aura of invincibility is fading. “The only problem is that other players suddenly believe that they can beat Novak Djokovic, and that’s something that they haven’t believed before,” Wilander said. In previous years, Djokovic’s reputation alone often secured him straightforward wins, conserving energy for the grueling later rounds of Grand Slams. Now, with younger players like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner rising, and veterans like Hubert Hurkacz pushing him to the brink—evidenced by their epic Geneva final—opponents approach matches with newfound confidence. “When matches are more complicated, suddenly you have three matches in a row which are four hours or more, and that becomes a physical issue,” Wilander explained, highlighting the toll that extended battles could take on the aging star.
This new reality marks a significant shift for Djokovic, who has thrived on his ability to dominate physically and mentally. His 2024 season was trophy-less on the ATP Tour, save for a golden triumph over Alcaraz at the Paris Olympics, and his recent losses to players like Jakub Mensik in the Miami Open final signal a dip in form. “He hasn’t had those problems before because he’s been so much better than everybody,” Wilander noted, emphasizing how Djokovic’s once-impenetrable armor is now showing cracks. The Serbian’s first-round matchup against Mackenzie McDonald at Roland Garros is winnable, but the prospect of facing top seeds like Sinner or Alcaraz in later rounds looms large. Wilander believes these players, particularly Alcaraz, who bested Sinner 7-6, 6-1 in the Italian Open final, are the favorites to claim the title, with Djokovic facing an uphill battle to match their intensity over five sets.
Adding to the intrigue is the specter of retirement rumors, with Wilander suggesting, “There’s a possibility that it’s his last French Open.” Djokovic, however, remains defiant. “Tennis is a sport where it’s necessary to nurture that mentality of, ‘It’s never enough,’” he recently told Business Traveler, signaling his refusal to step away despite the challenges. His meticulous approach to fitness—through hyperbaric chambers and a gluten-free diet—has kept him competitive into his late 30s, a feat mirrored by few in tennis history. Yet, the physical demands of clay, with its long rallies and sliding footwork, amplify the strain on his body, especially after a knee injury sidelined him in 2024’s tournament.
Djokovic’s storied history at Roland Garros, where he has won three titles, including a dramatic 2023 victory, offers hope. His ability to adapt, as seen in his 2021 semifinal upset over Rafael Nadal, dubbed by Wilander as one of the greatest clay-court matches ever, showcases his tactical brilliance. But with only one ATP title since the 2023 ATP Finals and a season of inconsistent results, the road to a fourth French Open crown is fraught with obstacles. “It’s a new chapter in his career,” Wilander observed, eager to see how Djokovic handles this evolving landscape.
As Paris prepares for another thrilling Grand Slam, Djokovic’s journey is a compelling narrative of resilience against the tide of time. Whether he can defy Wilander’s warnings and silence his doubters remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Serbian warrior will step onto the clay with the heart of a champion, ready to climb his personal Mount Everest once more.
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