As Novak Djokovic navigates a turbulent 2025 season, renowned tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou has drawn a compelling parallel between the Serbian legend’s current challenges and those faced by Serena Williams in the twilight of her illustrious career. Mouratoglou, who guided Williams to two of her 23 Grand Slam titles, pinpointed a “big struggle” plaguing Djokovic: the difficulty of sustaining motivation after achieving unprecedented success. This insight, shared amid Djokovic’s winless start to the year and recent withdrawal from the Italian Open, casts a poignant light on the mental and emotional toll of chasing greatness at 37, raising questions about his path forward as Roland Garros looms.
Djokovic’s 2025 has been a stark departure from his record-breaking past. A hamstring injury forced him to retire in the Australian Open semi-finals against Alexander Zverev, and subsequent losses, including a shock 6-3, 6-4 defeat to Matteo Arnaldi in Madrid’s second round, have left him without a title or final appearance—his worst start since 2010. “That’s his big struggle now, the motivation part,” Mouratoglou observed, reflecting on Djokovic’s mindset after shattering nearly every tennis record, including 24 Grand Slam titles and 40 Masters 1000 crowns. He likened this to Williams’ late-career phase, when, after chasing Margaret Court’s 24-major record, she struggled to summon the same drive. “It’s very tough to keep the hunger when you’ve won everything,” Mouratoglou said, noting that both legends faced the question: “What’s left to fight for?”
For Djokovic, the answer is complex. His pursuit of a record-extending 25th Grand Slam and a third Olympic gold in Paris remains a tantalizing goal, yet physical setbacks and a shifting competitive landscape have tested his resolve. “I’m not going into Roland Garros as one of the main favorites, but maybe that can help,” he admitted in Madrid, embracing a rare underdog status. Mouratoglou highlighted the parallels with Williams, who, after her 23rd major at the 2017 Australian Open, grappled with balancing motherhood, injuries, and the pressure of Court’s benchmark. “Serena had to find new reasons to push, and it wasn’t always about the titles—it was about proving she could still do it,” he said. Djokovic, similarly, has spoken of personal milestones, like playing into his 40s and inspiring his children, as motivators.
The Serbian’s challenges extend beyond motivation. A grueling 2024 season, where he won Olympic gold but lost his No. 1 ranking to Jannik Sinner, left him physically drained. His decision to skip Rome, a key Roland Garros warm-up, sparked speculation about his French Open participation, with analyst José Moron suggesting he might bypass the clay-court major to prioritize recovery. “I’m focusing on winning matches, one at a time,” Djokovic said, a pragmatic shift from his usual dominance. Posts on X reflect divided sentiment—some fans admire his resilience, while others fear his body can’t keep pace with younger rivals like Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Mouratoglou’s analysis underscores the human side of Djokovic’s journey. Like Williams, who retired in 2022 after a storied career, Djokovic faces the inevitable decline of physical prowess, compounded by the mental weight of maintaining excellence. “It’s not just about skill—it’s about wanting it more than the next guy, even when you’ve got nothing left to prove,” Mouratoglou noted. Djokovic’s ability to channel this struggle into performance will be tested at Roland Garros, where he’s won three times, including a grueling 2023 final against Casper Ruud. A potential early clash with Sinner or Alcaraz looms, given his No. 5 seeding.
As the tennis world watches, Djokovic’s battle mirrors Williams’ in its raw honesty. Can he reignite the fire that fueled his 428 weeks at No. 1, or will the weight of his achievements slow his pursuit? Mouratoglou’s words offer a sobering reminder: even the greatest champions must confront their limits, finding purpose beyond the trophies that define them.
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