Patrick Mouratoglou Claims Novak Djokovic Has Decided to Continue His Career to Gain More Recognition

Former World No.1 Novak Djokovic will play the ATP 250 Hellenic Championship in Athens in November.

Patrick Mouratoglou Claims Novak Djokovic Has Decided to Continue His Career to Gain More Recognition

Novak Djokovic and Patrick Mouratoglou (via Tennis365,X/The Tennis Letter)

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Why Novak Djokovic, in spite of winning the most Grand Slam titles on the men’s tour, has not yet hung up his racket? According to Serena Williams‘ former coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, Djokovic is enjoying the recognition of his achievements from the fans after the retirements of his longtime rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic last claimed a Major at the 2023 US Open, and since then, he has only once appeared in a Grand Slam final (2024 Wimbledon). This season, the Serb featured in four semifinals, losing twice to Jannik Sinner (French Open and Wimbledon) and the US Open to Carlos Alcaraz. His Australian Open run was ruined by an injury.

Yet he keeps playing. Why? I think it’s partly because of his connection with the fans. For years, Roger and Rafa had the strongest connections with the public. Now people appreciate Novak more; they recognize his achievements, and he shows himself more. This new connection is perhaps what keeps him on the court, even if his motivation is not the same as before.

Patrick Mouratoglou in a LinkedIn post

After his US Open exit, Djokovic declared that he will play at least in the next season. The 24-time Grand Slam champion won only the Geneva Open this year and also made it to the final of the Miami Open, though he failed to end the tournament in his favor due to his straight-set defeat to Jakub Mensik. His 2024 Paris Olympics – which he won by beating Alcaraz in straight sets – is the last Big Title he clinched.

The Asian swing is underway, but Djokovic won’t be playing in the Japan Open or the China Open. His participation in the Shanghai Masters is also uncertain. Last year, Djokovic suffered a straight-set defeat to Sinner in the final- also his last match of the 2024 season. The 38-year-old, however, will feature in the first edition of the Hellenic Championship, scheduled to start on November 2 in Athens.

Jimmy Connors on Novak Djokovic is important to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner’s rivalry

Jimmy Connors suggested that Novak Djokovic‘s presence can help break the monotony of a Carlos Alcaraz-Jannik Sinner finals. Conners thinks the Sinner-Alcaraz rivalry needs a third guy like Djokovic, similar to the time when Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal used to dominate.

Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner
L-R: Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner (Image via X/Carlos Alcaraz 4K, Todo Sobre Tenis, The Tennis Letter)

It’s interesting because there’s only two guys that are on a different level from him still. It is crazy, and so the young guys are going to have to step it up, and I say that with utmost respect, because if not, you’re just going to have an Alcaraz-Sinner, Alcaraz-Sinner, you know, basically you’ve had that for the last eight Slams. Federer-Nadal, all of a sudden, had Djoker and then [Andy] Murray. They had some in and out who made it a little more exciting, but they need somebody to come in or be a part of that.

Jimmy Connors said on his Advantage Connors podcast

Since the Italian Open, both Alcaraz and Sinner have faced each other in the finals, with Sinner winning only at Wimbledon. Sinner holds a 6-4 head-to-head lead over Nole and is also on a five-match winning streak. Against Alcaraz, Djokovic leads 5-4.

Alcaraz recently featured at the Laver Cup, but his matches did not help Team Europe beat Team World, who won their third title in the tournament. The six-time Grand Slam champion will next be seen in action at the Japan Open. He will make his debut by locking horns with Sebastian Baez.

Sinner once again skipped the Laver Cup. He is in Beijing for the China Open, where last year, he lost a thrilling final to Alcaraz. The next tournament where both Alcaraz and Sinner will be in the same draw is the Shanghai Masters.

Also read: Alexander Zverev laments about a back problem after Team Defeats Team Europe at the Laver Cup