Ex-ATP Pro Thinks Novak Djokovic Has Every Reason to Believe in 25th Grand Slam Goal After Australian Open Defeat

Novak Djokovic‘s quest for his 25th Grand Slam title is not over yet, believes Nicolas Escude. Since his victory over Daniil Medvedev in the 2023 US Open, Jannik Sinner has beaten him three times, while Carlos Alcaraz, too, has beaten him three times in Grand Slam matches.

At this stage of his career, although Djokovic is able to overcome other opponents, his Grand Slam campaigns have been coming to a stop because of injuries or when he’s pitted against either Alcaraz or Sinner. Djokovic also knows that to reach his 25th Major milestone, he has to overcome both.

This Australian Open, although he finally broke his five-match losing streak against Sinner in the semifinal, he faltered against the Murcia native in the final, also his first Major title clash since the 2024 Wimbledon (lost to the Spaniard). Following Djokovic’s defeat in the final, former World No.17 Escude said he is convinced Djokovic still has a chance to win another Major.

It’s a question I asked myself after the final and at the end of the ceremony, where, indeed, he left some doubt about the future of his career, even though he’s known for doing that: would he be discouraged or not? Last year, seeing how far behind Alcaraz and Sinner he has, he could have been.

Nicolas Escude said on Retour Gagnant

Alcaraz’s victory in the Melbourne Slam made him the youngest man in the Open Era to complete the Career Grand Slam. The seven-time Major champion also improved his head-to-head record over Nole to 5-5.

Now, in itself, he’s not necessarily that far behind. He already beat one of them, Sinner, in the semifinals, and in this final against Alcaraz, if he’s a little less physically drained after that match against Sinner… His quest is still for his 25th Grand Slam title. He still hasn’t reached it, and he wasn’t that far off at this first Grand Slam tournament.

Nicolas Escude added

But Escude also doesn’t think Djokovic has any chance to win at Roland Garros, where he has played seven finals, winning three titles (2016, 2021, and 2023). In 2024, an injury forced him to give the walkover to Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals, while last year, eventual runner-up Sinner knocked him out in the semifinals.

Pat Cash says Novak Djokovic can still challenge Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner

What Novak Djokovic is doing at 38 is impressive enough, and on top of that, to beat someone like Jannik Sinner only shows that the World No.3 still has enough in his tank to continue his hunt for the 25th Major. Following the Australian Open final, former player from Britain, Pat Cash, said he is convinced Djokovic will continue to be a threat in Majors despite his age.

If he can find that right balance- and really nobody knows what that is- he can continue to be a threat. You don’t have to always play the number one and number two- somebody can get knocked out. If he has a bit of luck, which he did in this tournament, he’s definitely a threat to the top two guys.

Pat Cash said (H/T: BBC Sport)

Before eliminating Sinner, Djokovic received two walkovers. His fourth-round opponent, Jakub Mensik, withdrew before the match, while his quarterfinal opponent, Lorenzo Musetti, retired mid-match after taking the first two sets off the 10-time Australian Open champion.

Djokovic now holds a 5-6 head-to-head record over the four-time Grand Slam champion. Sinner would have become the second man in the Open Era after Djokovic to complete a three-peat of the Australian Open had he won the title.

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