Serena Williams' ex-coach makes his feelings known on Novak Djokovic's Slam chances in 2025

2025 Australian Open Previews - Source: Getty
Serbian tennis legend Novak Djokovic. Source: Getty

With only hours left till the first round of the Australian Open 2025, Serena Williams' former coach Patrick Mouratoglou has claimed that Novak Djokovic has what it takes to win a Grand Slam this year.

Djokovic had a dream run in 2023 when he won three Grand Slam titles, but had a poor season in 2024, by his lofty standards, as he went the whole year without claiming a Grand Slam trophy.

While Alexander Zverev recently said defending champion Jannik Sinner was his favorite to win the Australian Open 2025, Mouratoglou opined that Djokovic can very well take on the likes of Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.

“We were discussing the other day with the team, (whether) Novak was still able (to) or not to win Grand Slams and beat Alcaraz and Sinner. 2023 (was an) unbelievable year for Novak. (He) wins Three Grand Slams, final of the fourth one. 2024 - no Grand Slam wins. A lot of bad losses, which is something very new for him,” said the French coach in a video posted on his Instagram page.

He added that the reason Djokovic had little success in 2024 was because he lost motivation, especially after Rafael Nadal also hung up his boots. Novak Djokovic won his 24th Grand Slam title in 2023 and that made him the first male tennis player to achieve that feat in tennis history.

“In a way, he won his fight against the two others (Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal). He felt like, 'Finally, I got it, I won the fight of all my career.' He fought within himself to find motivation and he couldn't find a way, except at the Olympics, because that was the title he really needed,” quipped Mouratoglou.

The Serb announced former World No. 1 Andy Murray as his new coach some time back in what has been one of the most surprising moves of all time in tennis history.

How Novak Djokovic could benefit from Andy Murray’s coaching at Australian Open 2025

One big factor that could guide Novak Djokovic to that 25th Grand Slam title would be the arrival of Andy Murray as his coach. Murray, who has two Wimbledon titles and has reached the Australian Open final five times, will add great value in what promises to be a record-breaking season for the Serbian great.

Mouratoglou labeled Murray’s arrival as a “big change.”

“What about 2025? So he made a big change (by) hiring Andy Murray. He took the decision to play much more,” he said.
Novak Djokovic with coach Andy Murray during a practice session ahead of the Australian Open 2025. Source: Getty
Novak Djokovic with coach Andy Murray during a practice session ahead of the Australian Open 2025. Source: Getty

He added:

“If you look at last year, you could feel that he didn't feel like playing. The fact that he wants to play much more shows how motivated he is and I think its all about that. If his motivation is that it's top, he can compete with the two other guys. If the motivation is back and we have to count on him, I can't believe he's not going to win at least one (Grand Slam) this year.”

Novak Djokovic began his 2025 season at the Brisbane International and lost to Reilly Opelka in the quarterfinal, but will not read much into that result since it was his first tournament of the year. What will matter, though, will be how he begins his Australian Open campaign when he takes on Grand Slam debutant Nishesh Basavareddy in the first round.

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Edited by Riddhiman Sarkar
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