![\"Novak](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Novak-Djokovic-2026-Australian-Open-6767668.jpg\" "\\"Novak")
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Novak Djokovic missed out on winning a historic 25th Major title at the Australian Open (Image: Getty)<\/p>\n
Novak Djokovic<\/a> 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<\/a> over world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz<\/a> before losing in four.<\/p>\n Beating Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner<\/a> has been Djokovic\u2019s 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<\/a> that finished around 1.30am local time. Still, it wasn\u2019t enough, and he couldn\u2019t get his hands on an elusive 25th Major trophy.<\/p>\n Age has also been a big factor for Djokovic, who turns 39 in May, and he has openly admitted that his body isn\u2019t 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 \u2013 his motivation.<\/p>\n Serena Williams\u2019 former coach suggested that the 38-year-old was \u201cdeeply hurt\u201d by the wording of a question at the recent Australian Open<\/a>, where he was asked what it was like to be \u201cchasing\u201d Alcaraz and Sinner in this era<\/a>, versus when he burst onto the scene in the 2000s and started chasing Roger Federer<\/a> and Rafael Nadal<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate<\/a> or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings.<\/p>\n And Mouratoglou believes it\u2019s a prime example of Djokovic\u2019s mentality, and the fact that his motivation isn\u2019t quite what it used to be, given that he has achieved everything possible in the sport. In a recent LinkedIn post, the Frenchman wrote: \u201cI hear a lot of people saying that if Novak Djokovic<\/a> wins a 25th Grand Slam, he should stop. I don\u2019t believe that for one second.<\/p>\n \u201cDuring this Australian Open, a journalist asked Novak whether he was now chasing Jannik Sinner<\/a> and Carlos Alcaraz<\/a>, after having chased Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Novak answered calmly: \u201cI\u2019m not chasing. I\u2019m creating my own history.\u201d 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\u2019s ego, something wakes up.<\/p>\n \u201cYou 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\u2019t because his tennis level is gone. The only real obstacle between Novak Djokovic and Grand Slam titles today is motivation.<\/p>\n Novak Djokovic lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open final (Image: Getty)<\/p>\n \u201cHe 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.<\/p>\n \u201cPhysically, of course, things are different. He doesn\u2019t recover like he used to. But he\u2019s 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\u2019ve seen it with my own eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n Like the rest of the tennis world, Mouratoglou has witnessed countless examples of Djokovic\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen 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: \u201cI\u2019m going to beat them.\u201d People called it arrogance. It wasn\u2019t. It was belief,\u201d Mouratoglou added.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd 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\u2019t whether Novak Djokovic can win another Grand Slam. It\u2019s whether he wants it deeply. If he does, he\u2019ll most likely find a way. And if that fire truly comes back\u2026 who would you bet against him?\u201d<\/p>\n EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page<\/a><\/p>\n Stay up-to-date with the latest Tennis news Join us on WhatsApp<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Carlos](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Carlos-Alcaraz-Novak-Djokovic-2026-Australian-Open-6767676.jpg\" "\\"Carlos")
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