Patrick Mouratoglou has shared a fascinating perspective on Novak Djokovic’s uncharacteristic performance in the Grand Slam circuit this year. The renowned coach, who previously worked with Serena Williams, suggests that Djokovic’s motivation levels may have been affected by his recent achievement of surpassing Rafael Nadal in the all-time Grand Slam tally—a feat that defined much of his career. Mouratoglou believes that reaching this career milestone might have taken a psychological toll on the Serbian champion, who, after years of battling Nadal and Federer to cement his legacy, may be facing new challenges in finding motivation.
Starting 2023, Djokovic was still trailing Nadal by one Major title. However, with an extraordinary run last year, reaching all four Grand Slam finals and capturing three titles, Djokovic set a record as the first male player to secure 24 Grand Slam titles. This remarkable feat firmly established him as the most decorated male tennis player in history. Nadal, on the other hand, was struggling with injuries and made only one Grand Slam appearance in 2024 at the French Open, where he lost in the opening round. While Nadal is preparing to officially retire after the Davis Cup Finals next month, Djokovic’s record seems unassailable.
In an interview with *Tennis365*, Mouratoglou shared his perspective on Djokovic’s season. “For Novak, it’s only about his motivation. I understand that he struggles with it at the moment because all his career was about beating the other two [Federer and Nadal] and ending up being better than them. That was the fight of his life in tennis, and he won it,” Mouratoglou said. He continued, “Now that Rafa is retiring, this year has been tough for him. That’s how I see it, although I don’t know if I’m right. This year, the challenge for Novak was more about where to find that same level of drive. When you fight all your life for something and you finally get it, where do you find the motivation?”
While Djokovic participated in all four Majors this season, he didn’t win a single title, marking the first time since 2017 that he went an entire season without a Grand Slam. In the Australian Open, Djokovic—who had previously claimed the title there ten times—appeared slightly off his game. Despite advancing through his first five matches, he lost in the semifinals to Jannik Sinner. At the French Open, Djokovic’s momentum was further interrupted by a knee injury, which forced him to withdraw in the quarterfinals. Wimbledon was another challenging experience, as Carlos Alcaraz bested him in the final for a second consecutive year. Djokovic’s US Open run came to an early end, as he was unexpectedly defeated by Alexei Popyrin in the third round.
Despite these setbacks, Djokovic’s season had a silver lining: he claimed the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, a long-coveted achievement that completed his trophy collection. The victory came with a satisfying win over Alcaraz in the final, a significant accomplishment that showed he still has what it takes to compete at the highest levels. Mouratoglou acknowledges that while Djokovic didn’t win a Slam this season, his Olympic triumph is a testament to his enduring quality.
Reflecting on Djokovic’s season, Mouratoglou is optimistic about his future in Grand Slams. “I think he had a very tough year, but it followed an incredible one,” Mouratoglou stated. “Let’s not forget that only last year he won three Grand Slams and made the final of the other. So it was just one year ago, not ten years ago. His Olympic win was his main goal this year, and he achieved it, playing fantastic tennis against Carlos in the final. So, he’s still right there. I think he can still win against them [Sinner and Alcaraz].” According to Mouratoglou, the matches between Djokovic and the emerging stars, particularly Sinner and Alcaraz, are now highly competitive, with each player capable of winning on any given day.
With Sinner and Alcaraz splitting the Grand Slam titles this year, many fans and analysts anticipate that these two will lead the ATP tour in 2025. Mouratoglou, however, isn’t ready to count Djokovic out of the picture, highlighting the Serbian’s resilience and his ability to rise to the occasion, especially when facing younger competition. Mouratoglou concluded, “The margin may not be as wide as before, but Novak can still win Slams. I’m sure about that.”
Recently, Djokovic addressed speculation that he should consider retiring, responding to critics with a firm intention to continue competing. While acknowledging that his form has been questioned, Djokovic indicated his readiness to return in the 2025 season with renewed focus. The Australian Open, where Djokovic has historically been the most dominant, is set to be his first major test. Many expect that the 37-year-old will be more determined than ever to reestablish his place at the top and possibly add to his record-breaking tally of Grand Slam titles.
In the ever-evolving landscape of men’s tennis, Djokovic’s determination to keep competing amid a rapidly changing field could make for a thrilling narrative. As Sinner and Alcaraz continue to rise, Djokovic’s experience and proven resilience position him as a formidable force to watch. Tennis fans worldwide are eager to see how Djokovic will approach the 2025 season and whether he can draw on his rich career experience to once again dominate the Grand Slam stage.