Patrick Mouratoglou claims Novak Djokovic is dealing with ‘big’ problem Serena Williams faced amid trophy drought
Novak Djokovic is chasing his 100th title, last lifting a title at the 2024 Paris Olympics by beating Carlos Alcaraz.
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Serena Williams, Patrick Mouratoglou, Novak Djokovic (Image via Vogue, X/US Open, The Tennis Letter)
Life without goals- is this the reason behind Novak Djokovic‘s current situation? Serena Williams‘ former coach Patrick Mouratoglou definitely thinks so.
Mouratoglou recalled a conversation he had with Williams back in 2015. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion was aiming for the Calendar Slam that year and before the US Open, she asked him what she would be doing after winning the home Grand Slam and tying the record with Steffi Graf.
The Frenchman said that for Williams, pursuing something was always important. He thinks it’s the same case with Djokovic; and now that he has surpassed his biggest rivals Roger Federer (20) and Rafael Nadal‘s (22) Major tally, he is losing motivation.
We see it with Novak now—that’s his big struggle. The guy, it’s not about his tennis, it’s just about him being—it’s very obvious when he plays matches, and probably when he practices. Yeah, what’s his goal now that he found out to win more Slams than his two big rivals, which were Roger and Rafa.
Patrick Mouratoglou told Tennis Channel
Williams failed to complete the Calendar Slam in 2015 but after winning the 2016 Wimbledon, she tied the Grand Slam tally with Graf. She retired at the 2022 US Open but before hanging up her racket, she surpassed the German by clinching her 23rd Grand Slam singles title at the 2017 Australian Open.
Novak Djokovic reveals whether he will join Daniil Medvedev’s coaching team
Daniil Medvedev wants to be coached by Novak Djokovic. He said that he would “pay” to have Djokovic in his entourage. Djokovic, who is 10-5 in the head-to-head record against the Russian, has now made his feelings known on the offer.
I really like Medvedev a lot, we always had a great relationship off the court. I am sure that because of my relationship with Daniil, I would always like to work with him if I could. As an advisor or mentor. One day I would consider becoming a member of their team.
Novak Djokovic said (H/T: Sportal)
Medvedev suffered a straight-set defeat to three-time Grand Slam finalist Casper Ruud in the quarterfinal of the ongoing Madrid Open. He has not yet added a title to his trophy cabinet since winning the 2023 Italian Open.
Djokovic, on the the hand, lost to Matteo Arnaldi in his opening round. It was his third consecutive defeat as he also lost to Alejandro Tabilo in the Monte Carlo Masters opening round and to Jakub Mensik in the Miami Open final. For the second time this season, Djokovic lost three consecutive matches as prior to the clay swing, the Serb, after withdrawing from the Australian Open semifinal, lost in his opening rounds of the Qatar Open and Indian Wells.
The summit clash of the Miami Open was Djokovic’s first final since progressing to the Shanghai Masters final which he lost to World No.1 Jannik Sinner. He last won a Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open but since then, he only advanced to one Major final. Last year, he reached the Wimbledon final but registered his second consecutive defeat in the tournament to World No.3 Carlos Alcaraz.
Novak Djokovic withdraws from the Italian Open
After losing the Madrid Open final, Novak Djokovic surprisingly withdrew from the Italian Open, which starts on May 7. It will be the first time he will miss the third clay-court Masters 1000 of the season since 2007.
Djokovic is a six-time Italian Open champion and won the title the last time in 2022. Last year, he lost in the third round to Alejandro Tabilo.
He is expected to make his comeback at the French Open where last year, he succumbed to an injury and withdrew from the quarterfinal match against Casper Ruud. The three-time French Open champion last lifted the title in 2023.
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