After falling short of a record 25th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic is once again at the centre of debate.
Djokovic reached the final in Melbourne and even took the first set against Carlos Alcaraz, having already defeated Jannik Sinner in a late-night semi-final. Yet he ultimately lost in four sets.
Many point to rising stars like Alcaraz and Sinner or to Djokovic’s age as the main barriers to another Slam. But renowned french tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou sees it differently.
He believes motivation is now the decisive factor.
“The only real obstacle between Novak Djokovic and Grand Slam titles today is motivation,” Mouratoglou said.
He referenced a moment in Melbourne where Djokovic was asked whether he was now “chasing” the younger generation after once chasing legends like Federer and Nadal.
Djokovic responded: “I’m not chasing. I’m creating my own history.”
According to Mouratoglou, the question struck a nerve and revealed how central belief and internal drive remain to Djokovic’s success.
“He achieved the goal of his life: becoming the greatest of all time,” Mouratoglou explained. “Once that mountain was climbed, the drive naturally dropped.”
Physically, Mouratoglou believes Djokovic is still capable of competing deep into Grand Slams.
“He’s fit. He can prepare. He can manage matches. He can still reach the last rounds and compete.”
For Mouratoglou, the question is no longer whether Djokovic can win another major.
It is whether he wants it enough.
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