As the tennis world shifts its focus to the clay courts of Europe, Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, finds himself under scrutiny following disappointing performances at the Monte Carlo Masters and Madrid Open in April 2025. Patrick Mouratoglou, the renowned coach of Naomi Osaka, didn’t hold back in his assessment of Djokovic’s struggles, labeling the Serbian’s displays as “shockingly below par” for a player of his caliber. With the Italian Open underway and Roland Garros looming on May 25, Mouratoglou’s candid critique, shared via social media, has sparked debate about whether Djokovic can rebound on his least favorite surface or if his dominance is waning at age 37.
Djokovic’s clay season began with high hopes but quickly unraveled. In Monte Carlo, he suffered a straight-sets defeat to World No. 32 Alejandro Tabilo, 6-3, 6-4, in the second round, a match he described as “horrible.” “I expected myself at least to have put in a decent performance. Not like this,” Djokovic admitted, citing 29 unforced errors and a lack of rhythm on clay. The loss was particularly stinging given Tabilo’s 2-0 head-to-head record over him, a rare feat shared only with Marat Safin and Jiri Vesely. Madrid offered no reprieve, as Djokovic fell 6-3, 6-4 to Matteo Arnaldi in his opening match, marking his third consecutive defeat. “I was hoping I can play one more match than I played in Monte Carlo,” he said, acknowledging a “new reality” where early exits are becoming routine. Mouratoglou seized on these performances, stating, “Djokovic’s level in Monte Carlo and Madrid was shockingly below par for someone who’s won 24 Slams. He’s not finding solutions when things go south, which is unlike the champion we know.”
Mouratoglou, who has guided Osaka to a strong clay season, including a quarterfinal run in Madrid, pointed to Djokovic’s mental and tactical struggles. “Champions win even when they’re off, but Djokovic looked lost out there,” he remarked. He contrasted Djokovic’s approach with Osaka’s resilience, noting how she “fights through bad days by focusing on what’s in her control.” Djokovic’s 12-7 season record, with no titles since the 2024 ATP Finals and a runner-up finish in Miami, fuels Mouratoglou’s critique. The Serbian’s withdrawal from Rome, announced shortly after Madrid, means he’ll enter Roland Garros without a clay-court win, a first since 2006. “It’s a completely different feeling from what I had in 20-plus years of professional tennis,” Djokovic confessed, highlighting the mental challenge of these setbacks.
The context of Djokovic’s season adds weight to Mouratoglou’s comments. A hamstring injury forced him to retire in the Australian Open semifinals, and an eye infection hampered his Miami Open final against Jakub Mensik. His collaboration with coach Andy Murray, absent in Monte Carlo but present in Madrid, has yet to yield a title, though Djokovic praised their Miami run as “high-quality tennis.” Mouratoglou, however, sees deeper issues, suggesting Djokovic’s inability to adapt mirrors a broader decline. “He’s not moving like he used to, and the errors are piling up,” he noted, echoing former player Arnaud Clement’s observation that Djokovic appeared “unhappy” and “unfulfilled” in Monte Carlo.
Despite the criticism, Djokovic remains defiant. “I’m not going into Roland Garros as one of the main favorites,” he said, but hinted that lower expectations could be an advantage. His Olympic gold on Parisian clay in 2024 proves he can still conquer the surface, and his 99 career titles leave him one shy of the century mark, a milestone only Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer have reached. Mouratoglou, while critical, acknowledged Djokovic’s legacy, stating, “He’s still a force, but right now, he’s not showing it.” Osaka, under Mouratoglou’s guidance, has praised his focus on mental toughness, which she’ll carry into Rome and Roland Garros.
As the tennis world watches, Djokovic’s response to this critique will define his clay season. Can he silence doubters in Paris, or is Mouratoglou’s assessment a sign of a champion facing an inevitable twilight? With the Italian Open unfolding, all eyes are on whether Djokovic can rediscover his mojo before the French Open’s grueling five-set battles begin.
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