Patrick Mouratoglou has got it completely wrong about Novak Djokovic

Follow us on Google Discover

Novak Djokovic fell just short of tennis history at the Australian Open, where he was eyeing a record 25th Grand Slam title.

Instead, Carlos Alcaraz made tennis history, becoming the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam at the age of 22.

But runner-up Djokovic reminded everyone of his ability at the Australian Open, reaching yet another final at the age of 38.

Djokovic remains on 24 Grand Slam titles following the near miss, which keeps him level with Australian legend Margaret Court, having last lifted a major trophy at the 2023 US Open.

Intriguingly, tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou thinks Djokovic lacks motivation in his pursuit of the all-time record, but it’s clear that isn’t the case.

Grade Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open performance out of 10…

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Patrick Mouratoglou is wrong about Novak Djokovic’s lack of motivation

Mouratoglou helped Serena Williams to 10 of her 23 Grand Slam titles, and so clearly knows what it takes to achieve success at the highest level.

But the Frenchman has got it completely wrong about Djokovic, of whom he said: “The only obstacle that prevents Novak from winning Grand Slams is his motivation.

“I don’t think he’s motivated enough for the 25th, otherwise I think he would have done it.”

Djokovic has proven time and again that he is indeed motivated to win one more Grand Slam title, most recently in Melbourne.

It is, of course, much easier said than done, with many top players having struggled to win a single title, never mind 24.

The ATP veteran proved his motivation and hunger at the Australian Open, typified by his semifinal win over Jannik Sinner.

It is, incidentally, the Italian and his fellow ATP superstar Alcaraz who are stopping Djokovic from winning a 25th Grand Slam title, much more than motivation.

The legendary figure just lost to Alcaraz in the Australian Open final, just as he did in the finals of Wimbledon in 2023 and 2024.

That was also the case in the semifinals of the 2025 US Open, while he lost to Sinner at the same stage of both the French Open and Wimbledon, following a retirement due to injury in Melbourne.

Who finishes their career on more majors – Alcaraz or Djokovic?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Novak Djokovic makes wise move after Australian Open final

Djokovic certainly wasn’t as busy as Alcaraz at the Australian Open, having received back-to-back walkovers.

It certainly helped the Serbian due to his age, but he’s now made the smart move to stay away from competitive action until later this month.

Djokovic will next play at the Qatar Open, with both Alcaraz and Sinner also returning to action at the ATP 500 event in Doha.

Despite his reduced playing time in Melbourne, the 38-year-old will be grateful for all the rest and recovery time that he can get.

His lack of action is, therefore, unsurprising in that regard, but also because he is clearly prioritizing another Grand Slam title.

And that is more than understandable, with the 101-time ATP champion not having anything more to achieve away from Grand Slams.