Novak Djokovic missed out on winning a historic 25th Major title at the Australian Open (Image: Getty)
Novak Djokovic has been told that one key thing is stopping him from winning another Grand Slam title. The Serbian superstar already holds the Open Era record of 24 Major titles, but he came painfully close to an all-time record of 25 at the recent Australian Open. Djokovic reached the final and took the first set over world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz before losing in four.
Beating Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner has been Djokovic’s biggest challenge at the Grand Slam tournaments in recent years, but the world No. 3 got over one hurdle in the semi-finals, beating two-time defending champion Sinner in a gruelling five-setter that finished around 1.30am local time. Still, it wasn’t enough, and he couldn’t get his hands on an elusive 25th Major trophy.
Age has also been a big factor for Djokovic, who turns 39 in May, and he has openly admitted that his body isn’t what it used to be, despite how much he takes care of it. However, renowned tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou believes that something entirely different is keeping Djokovic away from Grand Slam number 25 – his motivation.
Serena Williams’ former coach suggested that the 38-year-old was “deeply hurt” by the wording of a question at the recent Australian Open, where he was asked what it was like to be “chasing” Alcaraz and Sinner in this era, versus when he burst onto the scene in the 2000s and started chasing Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
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And Mouratoglou believes it’s a prime example of Djokovic’s mentality, and the fact that his motivation isn’t quite what it used to be, given that he has achieved everything possible in the sport. In a recent LinkedIn post, the Frenchman wrote: “I hear a lot of people saying that if Novak Djokovic wins a 25th Grand Slam, he should stop. I don’t believe that for one second.
“During this Australian Open, a journalist asked Novak whether he was now chasing Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, after having chased Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Novak answered calmly: “I’m not chasing. I’m creating my own history.” But that question hurt him. Deeply. Because seeing Novak Djokovic as someone who is chasing others, instead of being the one everyone is chasing, touches his ego. And when you touch Novak’s ego, something wakes up.
“You could see it in the semi-final against Jannik Sinner. Novak found a way. Not because he was superior tennis-wise, but because on the big points, he became Novak Djokovic again. That match was a response. Then came the final against Carlos Alcaraz. Novak lost. And no, it wasn’t because his tennis level is gone. The only real obstacle between Novak Djokovic and Grand Slam titles today is motivation.
Novak Djokovic lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open final (Image: Getty)
“He achieved the goal of his life: becoming the greatest of all time. Once that mountain was climbed, the drive naturally dropped. If the motivation comes back tomorrow, he can still match anyone, every single time.
“Physically, of course, things are different. He doesn’t recover like he used to. But he’s fit. He can prepare. He can manage matches. He can still reach the last rounds of Grand Slams and compete. What has never changed is this: Novak Djokovic is the strongest mental competitor in the history of tennis. I’ve seen it with my own eyes.”
Like the rest of the tennis world, Mouratoglou has witnessed countless examples of Djokovic’s belief being enough to get him over the line, including some statement Australian Open finals against Nadal. And the 55-year-old believes the Serb can still win another Grand Slam title if he channels the same confidence.
“When Roger and Rafa were dominating the tour, most top players told me it was impossible to win a Grand Slam. Novak, at 19 years old, said publicly: “I’m going to beat them.” People called it arrogance. It wasn’t. It was belief,” Mouratoglou added.
“And belief is what separates champions from legends. What is impossible to envision is impossible to do. It’s as simple as that. The champions are able to not foresee any limits within themselves. That’s the big difference. So the real question isn’t whether Novak Djokovic can win another Grand Slam. It’s whether he wants it deeply. If he does, he’ll most likely find a way. And if that fire truly comes back… who would you bet against him?”
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