Novak Djokovic Told His Biggest Problem This Year Is Mental and Not Physical: “He’s Nervous in the First Round”

Father Time is catching up with Novak Djokovic as he struggles with health issues at this stage of his career. But despite his topsy-turvy campaigns, the Serb still wants to prolong his career and has made it clear he will play all four Grand Slams next year as well.

The former World No.1 was last seen in action in the second round of the Shanghai Masters, where Hubert Hurkacz clinched a 6-4, 6-3 win over him. It marked Djokovic’s fourth opening-round defeat this season following the Italian Open, Cincinnati Masters, and the US Open.

Before Shanghai, Djokovic ended his title drought at the China Open after being handed the walkover by Alex de Minaur. He struggled a lot during his first few matches and once again talked about the long-term health issue he has been dealing with. But Serena Williams‘ former coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, believes Djokovic’s problem is more mental than physical.

At the US Open, I said something that shocked a lot of people: Novak’s problem isn’t physical. It’s mental, and linked to his lack of preparation. A lot of his fans came after me for it. Then he won Beijing. So, did I change my mind? No. Look at his first two rounds there. Same story as before: ‘I feel sick’, he calls the doctor, he looks like he’s dying on court, he’s not playing well, and he drops sets. He could have lost in the first round. Really. He could have lost in the second round.

Patrick Mouratoglou wrote on LinkedIn

En route to his China Open win, Djokovic knocked out Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals and Daniil Medvedev (he was defaulted when he was on the verge of defeat) in the semifinals.

Against Zverev, he had nothing to lose. He was loose. He played his real level. And that level is still amazing. His tennis and his fitness are huge. It’s not tennis. It’s not fitness. It’s mental. I know it sounds crazy. A guy with 24 Grand Slams, nervous in a first round? It makes no sense. For me, it makes complete sense. He cares. He cares so much. Think of going into an exam you don’t feel ready for… Same here. So my diagnosis hasn’t changed.

Patrick Mouratoglou added

Djokovic produced his best tennis in this year’s Australian Open. He shocked the tennis world when he defeated two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner in the semifinals before losing the final to Carlos Alcaraz.

Novak Djokovic will play in Basel

Novak Djokovic has accepted the wild card for the Swiss Indoors, the ATP 500 event, set to take place from 26 October to 1 November 2026. He will be competing in the tournament for the first time since 2011.

Nole, in fact, will be making his fourth appearance in Basel. He holds a 12-2 record here, and he won the title in 2009 by defeating home favorite Roger Federer.

Djokovic is aiming to qualify for the ATP Finals, which is set to be held from 15 November to 22 November. He is 11th in the Live Race to Turn.

Djokovic, even though he qualified for the season-ending championship in the previous two seasons, decided not to play the event. He is a seven-time champion in the event, last winning in 2023.

Jannik Sinner is the two-time defending champion, but he won’t play as he has already ended his season due to his knee injury. He was last seen in action in the final of Wimbledon, where he clinched a four-set win over Alexander Zverev and defended his title.

Also read: Alexander Zverev Vows to Correct ‘Pretty Useless Habit’ After Rivals’ Complaints