At 37, Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis icon, stands at a pivotal moment in his storied career, chasing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title to surpass the mark he currently shares with Margaret Court. Despite a challenging 2025 season marred by injuries and a rare dip in form, Djokovic has been backed by former top-20 doubles player Colin Fleming to rediscover his magic at the majors. As the French Open looms on May 25, 2025, the tennis world is abuzz with anticipation, wondering if the man who has redefined greatness can “turn it on” one more time to cement his legacy as the undisputed greatest of all time.
Djokovic’s 2025 campaign has been uncharacteristically turbulent. A hamstring tear forced him to retire from the Australian Open semifinals against Alexander Zverev in January, and a subsequent eye infection hampered his performance in the Miami Open final, where he fell to teenager Jakub Mensik. His clay-court swing was equally rocky, with early exits in Monte Carlo and Madrid—losing to Matteo Arnaldi 6-3, 6-4 in the latter—and a withdrawal from the Italian Open, raising concerns about his Roland Garros prospects. “It’s a completely different feeling from what I had in 20-plus years of professional tennis,” Djokovic admitted after his Madrid loss, acknowledging a “new reality” of struggling to win even a single match. Yet, his hunger for Grand Slam glory remains undimmed, with the 24-time major champion declaring, “I’m happy to win a Grand Slam and a big tournament rather than getting to No. 1. Right now, that’s more important for me.”
Fleming, speaking on Sky Sports Tennis, expressed unwavering confidence in Djokovic’s ability to rise to the occasion. “I think he’s still got an inner confidence that when the time comes, the ones that he’s really motivated for the most, the Grand Slams now, to get to 25, I still think he thinks he can turn it on,” he said. This belief is rooted in Djokovic’s unparalleled track record. His 2023 US Open triumph, which secured his 24th major, showcased his ability to deliver under pressure, and his Olympic gold medal in Paris last summer filled the final gap in his resume. With 99 ATP titles and a record 411 Masters 1000 match wins, Djokovic’s pursuit of a 100th title and a 25th Slam remains a tantalizing prospect. “If you tell me I’ll win my 100th title in any of the Slams this year, I’ll sign right away,” he told reporters earlier this year, though he added, “It’s a big mountain to climb, so, be a bit more humble about it, and hope for the best.”
The French Open presents a formidable challenge. Djokovic, a three-time champion at Roland Garros (2016, 2021, 2023), faces a field led by world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, who have claimed six of the last seven majors between them. His limited clay-court preparation, compounded by last year’s knee injury that forced a withdrawal from the 2024 French Open quarterfinals, raises questions about his physical durability for the grueling best-of-five-set format. “It’s not like I’m worrying, approaching every Grand Slam now, whether I’m going to get injured or not. But statistics are against me in a way in the last couple of years,” Djokovic conceded, reflecting on recent injuries. Yet, his collaboration with new coach Andy Murray, a former rival, has sparked optimism, with Djokovic admitting he has to “pinch himself” at the surreal partnership.
Skeptics, like retired French player Nicolas Escude, argue that Djokovic is on a “downward slope,” suggesting the physical demands of majors may now be too steep. Conversely, former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli insists his drive remains fierce. “He wants to finish with 25 Grand Slams to be at the top of the pyramid and not have any name next to his, and I think he won’t stop until he gets that,” she said. Former British No. 1 Tim Henman points to Wimbledon as Djokovic’s best shot, citing his seven titles and comfort on grass, but Roland Garros offers an immediate opportunity to silence doubters.
As Djokovic prepares for Paris, his resilience and mental fortitude will be tested. The boos he faced in Melbourne after his injury withdrawal only fueled his resolve. “Novak has done absolutely everything he could on the tennis court in the last 20 years,” Zverev said, defending him. With history within reach, Djokovic’s quest for No. 25 is a testament to his relentless pursuit of greatness, and the tennis world waits to see if he can defy the odds once more.
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