As the clay courts of Roland Garros beckon, Novak Djokovic, the 37-year-old tennis titan with a record 24 Grand Slam titles, finds himself at a crossroads. Once deemed untouchable, the Serbian’s “invincibility factor has worn down,” according to former doubles world number one Todd Woodbridge, who spoke candidly about the challenges facing the current world number five. With a lackluster 2025 season and a recent withdrawal from the Italian Open, Djokovic’s focus has shifted to the French Open, where his performance could determine whether he continues his storied career or follows Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer into retirement. Woodbridge’s stark assessment, echoed by growing sentiment among fans and analysts, paints a picture of a champion grappling with new vulnerabilities.
Djokovic’s 2025 campaign has been marred by uncharacteristic struggles. Despite a promising start at the Australian Open, where he defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals, a hamstring injury forced him to retire in the semifinals against Alexander Zverev. Early exits followed at the Qatar Open, Indian Wells, and Monte-Carlo, where he fell to Alejandro Tabilo. His most recent setback came in Madrid, losing to Matteo Arnaldi in his opening match. “He’s now losing to people he’s never lost to,” Woodbridge observed, noting that emerging players sense an opportunity to topple the once-dominant Serbian. With a 12-7 record this season and no titles since his 2024 Olympic gold, Djokovic’s clay-court record stands at a dismal 0-2, a far cry from his 2023 French Open triumph.
Woodbridge, speaking on the Australian Open’s YouTube channel, suggested that Djokovic’s decision to skip Rome reflects a strategic pivot. “It seems like he’s made it by pulling out of Rome. I’m going to go on my reputation, my aura, into Roland Garros and see if I can pull that off,” he said, highlighting the Serbian’s reliance on his storied legacy to navigate a physically taxing season. However, Woodbridge cautioned that Djokovic’s recovery is faltering. “Physically, you can see he’s not bouncing back the way he was before,” he added, pointing to recurring injuries, including a knee issue in 2024 and the recent hamstring tear. These setbacks have raised questions about whether Djokovic, who has thrived on his unmatched resilience, can find the “extra 1%” needed to compete with younger stars like Jannik Sinner and Alcaraz.
The French Open, starting later this month, looms as a defining moment. “If he can perform well in Paris, we’ll see him stick around,” Woodbridge predicted, suggesting a strong showing could extend Djokovic’s career. “If he doesn’t, Wimbledon, most definitely he’s a contender, but then I think the rest of the season, his future, we’re going to have to wait and see.” Djokovic’s history at Roland Garros—three titles and a 2023 final win over Casper Ruud—offers hope, but his recent form and physical toll cast doubt. Former US Open champion Sam Stosur weighed in, questioning, “It’s amazing how quickly things can move past you, even for the greatest of all time, arguably. Are we definitely at that crossroads?” Her words underscore the growing narrative that Djokovic’s era may be nearing its end.
Djokovic’s challenges extend beyond the physical. His once-peerless return game, long considered the best in tennis history, has shown signs of decline. While his serve has improved under former coach Goran Ivanisevic, ranking 10th in ATP’s 2024 serve ratings, his return rating has dipped, impacting his ability to dominate rallies against aggressive opponents. “The new scenario, which he’s got to think about, is they’re all starting to go out there, going ‘Oh, this could be my chance now,’” Woodbridge noted, emphasizing how younger players are exploiting Djokovic’s vulnerabilities. Social media buzz reflects this shift, with fans posting, “Djokovic has lost his aura,” signaling a perceived crack in his once-impenetrable armor.
Yet, Djokovic’s mental fortitude remains a wildcard. Known for epic comebacks, like his five-set French Open win over Lorenzo Musetti in 2024, he thrives in adversity. “Novak’s ability to do the 1% is better than anybody,” Woodbridge acknowledged, though he questioned whether Djokovic has more to give after decades of relentless effort. As the Serbian prepares for Paris, his 428 weeks as world number one and 99 ATP titles loom large, but the path ahead is fraught with challenges. Will Djokovic summon his legendary resolve to silence doubters, or will Roland Garros mark the twilight of a tennis giant? The next few weeks will tell.
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