As the 2025 French Open begins on May 25 at Roland Garros, Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, is under the spotlight, with tennis legend John McEnroe offering a candid assessment of his prospects. The 38-year-old Serbian, chasing a record-extending 25th major title and a fourth French Open crown, arrives in Paris with a season of mixed results, including early exits in Monte Carlo and Madrid. McEnroe, a seven-time Grand Slam winner and Eurosport commentator, believes Djokovic’s chances hinge on his ability to rediscover his mental edge and physical resilience. “Novak talks a lot about being in the right headspace and having that zen feeling, but that’s not what he has had this year,” McEnroe said, pointing to recent changes in Djokovic’s team, including parting ways with coach Goran Ivanisevic and fitness coach Marco Panichi. Despite these challenges, McEnroe remains optimistic, stating, “I wouldn’t be surprised if Novak won it,” a testament to the Serbian’s unparalleled ability to rise to the occasion.
Djokovic’s 2025 campaign has been uncharacteristically rocky, with no titles since his 2024 Olympic gold and losses in the Shanghai and Miami finals. His decision to compete in the Gonet Geneva Open, where he reached the final on May 24, losing to Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 7-5, reflects a hunger for match practice on clay. “I still stay with my low expectations,” Djokovic said after his Geneva semi-final win over Cameron Norrie, acknowledging his inconsistent form. “I thought it was a good performance from me, solid. I’m glad the way I felt on the court. Compared to previous weeks, I felt better.” His Geneva run, including wins over Marton Fucsovics and Matteo Arnaldi, suggests he’s finding rhythm, crucial as he faces Mackenzie McDonald in the French Open’s first round. McEnroe noted the significance of Djokovic’s drive, saying, “Certainly, some of it is to chase Roger and Rafa and now he has to look at the younger group. It’s a tall order now he’s 37 years old, but he’s done an amazing job with his career.”
The French Open draw presents both opportunities and hurdles. Djokovic’s early rounds appear navigable, but potential clashes with Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals, Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals, or Jannik Sinner in the final loom large. McEnroe highlighted the mental challenge, noting, “This is the test to see out a Major and see how deep he might have to dig if necessary.” Djokovic’s 2024 French Open campaign ended prematurely due to a knee injury sustained in a five-set thriller against Francisco Cerundolo, exacerbated by a late-night match against Lorenzo Musetti that finished at 3:07 a.m. McEnroe called the scheduling “a huge mistake” and “a black eye for our sport,” arguing it contributed to the injury that forced Djokovic’s withdrawal before the quarter-finals. “Putting Djokovic, 37, on the court at 10:30 p.m., without knowing how long his match would last, was absurd,” McEnroe told reporters, emphasizing the toll on Djokovic’s recovery.
Despite these setbacks, Djokovic’s history at Roland Garros—wins in 2016, 2021, and 2023—makes him a perennial threat. His ability to navigate grueling five-setters, as seen in his 2024 epic against Cerundolo (6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3), underscores his resilience. “Again a big thank you because once again like the last match, the win is your win,” Djokovic told the Paris crowd, showcasing his connection with fans. McEnroe marveled at this endurance, saying, “I’ve watched and played tennis for over 50 years and I’ve never ever seen anything like this match. At 37, how does this guy still find a way to pull these matches out?” Djokovic’s coaching situation, now featuring Boris Bosnjakovic, a long-time associate, adds intrigue. McEnroe dismissed the need for a permanent coach, calling it “laughable” given Djokovic’s 24 Slams, but acknowledged, “If he needs someone around him, that’s completely fine.”
As Djokovic steps onto the clay, his pursuit of history is tempered by the rise of younger stars like Alcaraz and Sinner. McEnroe’s assessment balances skepticism with admiration, noting, “It’s hard to argue he’s not the best player of all time.” With a favorable early draw and a renewed focus, Djokovic’s quest for a fourth French Open title is a narrative of grit and legacy, poised to unfold in Paris’s electric atmosphere.
As the 2025 French Open begins on May 25 at Roland Garros, Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, is under the spotlight, with tennis legend John McEnroe offering a candid assessment of his prospects. The 38-year-old Serbian, chasing a record-extending 25th major title and a fourth French Open crown, arrives in Paris with a season of mixed results, including early exits in Monte Carlo and Madrid. McEnroe, a seven-time Grand Slam winner and Eurosport commentator, believes Djokovic’s chances hinge on his ability to rediscover his mental edge and physical resilience. “Novak talks a lot about being in the right headspace and having that zen feeling, but that’s not what he has had this year,” McEnroe said, pointing to recent changes in Djokovic’s team, including parting ways with coach Goran Ivanisevic and fitness coach Marco Panichi. Despite these challenges, McEnroe remains optimistic, stating, “I wouldn’t be surprised if Novak won it,” a testament to the Serbian’s unparalleled ability to rise to the occasion.
Djokovic’s 2025 campaign has been uncharacteristically rocky, with no titles since his 2024 Olympic gold and losses in the Shanghai and Miami finals. His decision to compete in the Gonet Geneva Open, where he reached the final on May 24, losing to Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 7-5, reflects a hunger for match practice on clay. “I still stay with my low expectations,” Djokovic said after his Geneva semi-final win over Cameron Norrie, acknowledging his inconsistent form. “I thought it was a good performance from me, solid. I’m glad the way I felt on the court. Compared to previous weeks, I felt better.” His Geneva run, including wins over Marton Fucsovics and Matteo Arnaldi, suggests he’s finding rhythm, crucial as he faces Mackenzie McDonald in the French Open’s first round. McEnroe noted the significance of Djokovic’s drive, saying, “Certainly, some of it is to chase Roger and Rafa and now he has to look at the younger group. It’s a tall order now he’s 37 years old, but he’s done an amazing job with his career.”
The frech Open draw presents both opportunities and hurdles. Djokovic’s early rounds appear navigable, but potential clashes with Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals, Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals, or Jannik Sinner in the final loom large. McEnroe highlighted the mental challenge, noting, “This is the test to see out a Major and see how deep he might have to dig if necessary.” Djokovic’s 2024 French Open campaign ended prematurely due to a knee injury sustained in a five-set thriller against Francisco Cerundolo, exacerbated by a late-night match against Lorenzo Musetti that finished at 3:07 a.m. McEnroe called the scheduling “a huge mistake” and “a black eye for our sport,” arguing it contributed to the injury that forced Djokovic’s withdrawal before the quarter-finals. “Putting Djokovic, 37, on the court at 10:30 p.m., without knowing how long his match would last, was absurd,” McEnroe told reporters, emphasizing the toll on Djokovic’s recovery.
Despite these setbacks, Djokovic’s history at Roland Garros—wins in 2016, 2021, and 2023—makes him a perennial threat. His ability to navigate grueling five-setters, as seen in his 2024 epic against Cerundolo (6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3), underscores his resilience. “Again a big thank you because once again like the last match, the win is your win,” Djokovic told the Paris crowd, showcasing his connection with fans. McEnroe marveled at this endurance, saying, “I’ve watched and played tennis for over 50 years and I’ve never ever seen anything like this match. At 37, how does this guy still find a way to pull these matches out?” Djokovic’s coaching situation, now featuring Boris Bosnjakovic, a long-time associate, adds intrigue. McEnroe dismissed the need for a permanent coach, calling it “laughable” given Djokovic’s 24 Slams, but acknowledged, “If he needs someone around him, that’s completely fine.”
As Djokovic steps onto the clay, his pursuit of history is tempered by the rise of younger stars like Alcaraz and Sinner. McEnroe’s assessment balances skepticism with admiration, noting, “It’s hard to argue he’s not the best player of all time.” With a favorable early draw and a renewed focus, Djokovic’s quest for a fourth French Open title is a narrative of grit and legacy, poised to unfold in Paris’s electric atmosphere.
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