On the eve of the 2025 French Open, Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, arrives at Roland Garros with a historic milestone: his 100th ATP title, secured at the Geneva Open on May 24, 2025, against Hubert Hurkacz. The victory marked a rare bright spot in an otherwise turbulent season, making him the first player to win at least one ATP title in 20 consecutive seasons. Yet, as the Serbian star, now 38, prepares for his first-round match against Mackenzie McDonald on May 26, 2025, he’s not the bookmakers’ favorite to claim a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam. Despite his recent triumph and unmatched clay-court pedigree, Djokovic’s inconsistent form, physical challenges, and formidable opposition—led by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner—cast doubt on his chances of lifting the Coupe des Mousquetaires.
Djokovic’s 2025 season has been a stark departure from his dominant past. With a 13-7 record and no titles until Geneva, he’s endured a string of uncharacteristic losses, including first-round exits in Doha, Indian Wells, Monte Carlo, and Madrid. “It’s kind of a new reality for me, trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament,” he admitted after his Madrid loss to Matteo Arnaldi. His clay-court campaign has been particularly dismal, with only two matches played—both defeats—before Geneva. A hamstring injury forced him to retire in the Australian Open semifinals against Alexander Zverev, and subsequent losses to lower-ranked players like Alejandro Tabilo and Botic van de Zandschulp have eroded the aura of invincibility that once cowed opponents. “Some guys have this woeful record against the top four, almost beaten before they get out on the court,” noted former player Wally Masur, highlighting how younger players like Jakub Menšík, who bested Djokovic in Miami, no longer fear him.
Physical limitations have compounded Djokovic’s struggles. At 37, his body is showing signs of wear. “His body isn’t quite the same machine anymore,” observers have noted, pointing to a step-slower movement and less precise serve. A knee brace spotted in Geneva and a history of injuries—elbow surgery in 2018, a torn abdominal muscle in 2021, and a medial meniscus tear at last year’s French Open—raise concerns about his durability in the grueling best-of-five-set format on clay. “The nearer he gets to 40, the harder it is to keep bouncing back,” Masur said. Djokovic’s decision to play Geneva, a last-minute entry to gain match rhythm, underscores his awareness of these challenges. “All the preparation in the world won’t mean much if he doesn’t play competitively,” he’s acknowledged, reflecting on his need for more court time.
The opposition at Roland Garros presents the steepest hurdle. Carlos Alcaraz, the No. 2 seed and defending champion, and Jannik Sinner, the top seed, are favored for their explosive clay-court prowess. Alcaraz, who routed Djokovic in the 2024 Wimbledon final but fell to him in the Paris Olympics gold-medal match, is a “more natural clay player,” with three titles this year, two on clay. Sinner, with a 28-2 record and three titles, has shown no signs of rust despite a recent doping ban. Djokovic’s draw is relatively kind early on, with McDonald, Corentin Moutet, or Denis Shapovalov in the first three rounds, but a potential quarterfinal against Zverev and a semifinal against Sinner or Alcaraz looms large. “Novak Djokovic right now can’t beat Carlos Alcaraz on a clay court in a best-of-five match,” one analyst argued, citing Alcaraz’s superior movement and power. Other contenders, like Zverev, who reached last year’s final, and Casper Ruud, a two-time finalist, add depth to the field.
Djokovic’s coaching upheaval adds another layer of uncertainty. His six-month partnership with Andy Murray ended in May 2025, with no titles to show for it. “We felt like we couldn’t get more out of that partnership,” Djokovic said, praising Murray’s “brilliant tennis IQ” but opting for a temporary team led by former assistant Dusan Vemic. “At the moment, I’m not in need of a coach,” he declared in Geneva, exuding cautious optimism. Yet, his ability to peak at Grand Slams remains legendary. “I know what it takes to be a Grand Slam champion,” he said, drawing on his three French Open titles and a dramatic Olympic win on the same Parisian clay. His 2024 French Open campaign, cut short by injury, still saw a five-set thriller against Francisco Cerundolo, proving his competitive fire endures.
As Djokovic steps onto Court Philippe-Chatrier, he carries “low expectations and high hopes,” a mantra from last year’s tournament. His 100th title offers a psychological boost, but the physical and competitive realities temper expectations. “I’m still connected to tennis and want to express myself on the court,” he said, fueled by a desire to surpass Margaret Court’s 24 Grand Slam record. Fans and rivals alike remain wary—Stefanos Tsitsipas cautioned, “With Novak, you never know”—but the consensus is clear: Alcaraz and Sinner hold the edge. Djokovic’s path to a fourth Roland Garros title is a long shot, but if anyone can defy the odds, it’s the man who’s rewritten tennis history time and again.
# Novak Djokovic’s Quest for French Open Glory: Why He’s Not the Favorite Despite 100th Title
On the eve of the 2025 French Open, Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, arrives at Roland Garros with a historic milestone: his 100th ATP title, secured at the Geneva Open on May 24, 2025, against Hubert Hurkacz. The victory marked a rare bright spot in an otherwise turbulent season, making him the first player to win at least one ATP title in 20 consecutive seasons. Yet, as the Serbian star, now 38, prepares for his first-round match against Mackenzie McDonald on May 26, 2025, he’s not the bookmakers’ favorite to claim a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam. Despite his recent triumph and unmatched clay-court pedigree, Djokovic’s inconsistent form, physical challenges, and formidable opposition—led by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner—cast doubt on his chances of lifting the Coupe des Mousquetaires.
Djokovic’s 2025 season has been a stark departure from his dominant past. With a 13-7 record and no titles until Geneva, he’s endured a string of uncharacteristic losses, including first-round exits in Doha, Indian Wells, Monte Carlo, and Madrid. “It’s kind of a new reality for me, trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament,” he admitted after his Madrid loss to Matteo Arnaldi. His clay-court campaign has been particularly dismal, with only two matches played—both defeats—before Geneva. A hamstring injury forced him to retire in the Australian Open semifinals against Alexander Zverev, and subsequent losses to lower-ranked players like Alejandro Tabilo and Botic van de Zandschulp have eroded the aura of invincibility that once cowed opponents. “Some guys have this woeful record against the top four, almost beaten before they get out on the court,” noted former player Wally Masur, highlighting how younger players like Jakub Menšík, who bested Djokovic in Miami, no longer fear him.
Physical limitations have compounded Djokovic’s struggles. At 37, his body is showing signs of wear. “His body isn’t quite the same machine anymore,” observers have noted, pointing to a step-slower movement and less precise serve. A knee brace spotted in Geneva and a history of injuries—elbow surgery in 2018, a torn abdominal muscle in 2021, and a medial meniscus tear at last year’s French Open—raise concerns about his durability in the grueling best-of-five-set format on clay. “The nearer he gets to 40, the harder it is to keep bouncing back,” Masur said. Djokovic’s decision to play Geneva, a last-minute entry to gain match rhythm, underscores his awareness of these challenges. “All the preparation in the world won’t mean much if he doesn’t play competitively,” he’s acknowledged, reflecting on his need for more court time.
The opposition at Roland Garros presents the steepest hurdle. Carlos Alcaraz, the No. 2 seed and defending champion, and Jannik Sinner, the top seed, are favored for their explosive clay-court prowess. Alcaraz, who routed Djokovic in the 2024 Wimbledon final but fell to him in the Paris Olympics gold-medal match, is a “more natural clay player,” with three titles this year, two on clay. Sinner, with a 28-2 record and three titles, has shown no signs of rust despite a recent doping ban. Djokovic’s draw is relatively kind early on, with McDonald, Corentin Moutet, or Denis Shapovalov in the first three rounds, but a potential quarterfinal against Zverev and a semifinal against Sinner or Alcaraz looms large. “Novak Djokovic right now can’t beat Carlos Alcaraz on a clay court in a best-of-five match,” one analyst argued, citing Alcaraz’s superior movement and power. Other contenders, like Zverev, who reached last year’s final, and Casper Ruud, a two-time finalist, add depth to the field.
Djokovic’s coaching upheaval adds another layer of uncertainty. His six-month partnership with Andy Murray ended in May 2025, with no titles to show for it. “We felt like we couldn’t get more out of that partnership,” Djokovic said, praising Murray’s “brilliant tennis IQ” but opting for a temporary team led by former assistant Dusan Vemic. “At the moment, I’m not in need of a coach,” he declared in Geneva, exuding cautious optimism. Yet, his ability to peak at Grand Slams remains legendary. “I know what it takes to be a Grand Slam champion,” he said, drawing on his three French Open titles and a dramatic Olympic win on the same Parisian clay. His 2024 French Open campaign, cut short by injury, still saw a five-set thriller against Francisco Cerundolo, proving his competitive fire endures.
As Djokovic steps onto Court Philippe-Chatrier, he carries “low expectations and high hopes,” a mantra from last year’s tournament. His 100th title offers a psychological boost, but the physical and competitive realities temper expectations. “I’m still connected to tennis and want to express myself on the court,” he said, fueled by a desire to surpass Margaret Court’s 24 Grand Slam record. Fans and rivals alike remain wary—Stefanos Tsitsipas cautioned, “With Novak, you never know”—but the consensus is clear: Alcaraz and Sinner hold the edge. Djokovic’s path to a fourth Roland Garros title is a long shot, but if anyone can defy the odds, it’s the man who’s rewritten tennis history time and again.
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