Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion and one of tennis’s all-time greats, faced a stunning setback at the 2025 French Open, falling in straight sets to World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the semifinals. The 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 defeat on the clay of Roland Garros marked a rare low for the 38-year-old Serbian, who has long been defined by his unbreakable mental fortitude. Naomi Osaka’s coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, a respected voice in tennis who guided Serena Williams to 10 major titles, has sparked debate with his bold claim that Djokovic’s loss was not due to physical shortcomings but a lack of mental edge. “Novak Djokovic lost his drive,” Mouratoglou declared, suggesting the Serbian’s trademark hunger may be waning as he navigates the twilight of his career.
The French Open semifinal was anticipated as a clash of titans, pitting Djokovic, the relentless warrior with a record 370 Major match wins, against Sinner, the 23-year-old Italian who has dominated 2025 with titles at the Australian Open and Indian Wells. Djokovic entered the match with confidence, having dropped just one set en route to the semifinals and boasting a 3-2 head-to-head edge over Sinner. Yet, the match told a different story. Sinner’s aggressive baseline play and pinpoint serving overwhelmed Djokovic, who struggled with unforced errors and missed eight of nine break-point opportunities. Mouratoglou, analyzing the match on Instagram, pointed to Djokovic’s mentality as the deciding factor. “It’s not about the tennis, it’s more about the mental side of it,” he said. “I felt he did accept a little bit too much the dominance of Sinner on him, which is not Novak. I didn’t see Novak I know.”
Djokovic’s 2025 season has been a mixed bag, raising questions about his motivation. After a golden triumph at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he completed the Career Golden Slam, Djokovic has struggled for consistency. Early exits at Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Indian Wells, coupled with a semifinal retirement at the Australian Open due to a hamstring injury, have left him with a 12-7 record and no titles in 2025 outside the Olympics. Mouratoglou, who has questioned Djokovic’s decision to play smaller clay events like Monte Carlo, suggested the Serbian’s focus has shifted. “His motivation is not high enough. It’s there, but I don’t know where it is exactly,” he said, speculating that Djokovic’s drive may have been fueled by rivalries with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, both now retired. “Everybody was saying they were the best players in the world, and he wanted to prove that he was the best.”
The emotional weight of the French Open loss was evident as Djokovic kissed the clay of Court Philippe-Chatrier, prompting speculation about his future at Roland Garros. “Do I wish to play more? Yes, I do. But will I be able to play here in 12 months’ time, I don’t know,” he said in his post-match press conference. “I said it could have been my last match [here], I didn’t say it was.” His comments reflect the uncertainty surrounding his career as he approaches 38, an age where no male player has won a Major. Despite this, Djokovic remains defiant, hinting at his intent to chase a record-extending 25th Grand Slam at Wimbledon, where he’s reached the final in the last two years, losing to Carlos Alcaraz both times.
Mouratoglou’s critique has divided fans. Some agree that Djokovic’s mental edge, once his greatest weapon, appears dulled against the new generation led by Sinner and Alcaraz. Others argue that his Olympic gold and strong French Open run—defeating players like Casper Ruud and Francisco Cerundolo—prove he remains a force. Djokovic himself has embraced the underdog role, telling The Guardian before the Sinner match: “These kind of matchups and challenges in a way extract the best out of me. You can’t get more motivated than that for me at this age.” Yet, his inability to counter Sinner’s dominance has fueled retirement rumors, with Mouratoglou predicting Djokovic won’t play past 41, unlike Federer.
As Djokovic prepares for the grass season, his next steps are unclear. His withdrawal from the Italian Open and decision to play the ATP 250 in Geneva suggest a cautious approach to managing his body and mindset. With Wimbledon looming, where he holds a 92-10 record, Djokovic has a chance to silence doubters. For now, the tennis world watches to see if the Serbian legend can rediscover the fire that made him the undisputed GOAT, or if, as Mouratoglou suggests, his drive is flickering against the relentless rise of a new era.
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