Patrick Mouratoglou Questions Novak Djokovic’s Motivation and Physical Preparation After Madrid Open Defeat

World No. 6 Novak Djokovic will not compete at the Italian Open for the first time since 2006.

Patrick Mouratoglou Questions Novak Djokovic’s Motivation and Physical Preparation After Madrid Open Defeat

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

Novak Djokovic is yet to win a tour-level title since claiming the 2023 ATP Finals in Turin. He has been to three finals since then, but has struggled to defeat his opponents and has not played his best tennis. Patrick Mouratoglou has now questioned the Serbian legend’s motivation after losing back-to-back clay opening matches.

Djokovic has been a shadow of himself since the 2024 season. He had stunned the tennis world the previous year by winning three of the four Grand Slams and finishing as World No.1 despite his age. But in the past one and a half years, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have dominated the ATP Tour, leaving Djokovic outside the Top 5 of the ATP rankings.

This season, Djokovic has featured in only two clay matches. He was first beaten by Alejandro Tabilo in the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters and was followed up with another early exit from the Madrid Open, which went in straight sets in favor of Matteo Arnaldi. The loss was the fourth time this season that Djokovic has lost his opening match.

Patrick Mouratoglou, who has been a big supporter of Djokovic, took to social media to question the former World No. 1’s motivation. The legendary coach added that the 37-year-old was not prepared physically and tennis-wise ahead of the Monte Carlo Masters and Madrid Open.

I was very surprised to see Novak play like that in Monte Carlo and then again in Madrid. For a guy like him, if he doesn’t feel like playing, if he doesn’t have the motivation, I don’t think he should play because he didn’t even look like he was trying to win. I am not saying he is not able to play better, he is for sure able to play much better, but I felt like he was not prepared physically. I mean, tennis-wise, physically, for those tournaments, because he doesn’t have the motivation, and no judgment there.

Patrick Mouratoglou said via Instagram

Djokovic holds a poor 12-7 record this season, with most of his wins coming from the Australian Open and Miami Open. He’s currently at the twilight of his career after struggling against the younger generation of players on the Tour this season.

Patrick Mouratoglou questions Novak Djokovic’s decision to withdraw from the Italian Open Open

Novak Djokovic will, for the first time since 2006, not compete at the Italian Open. The World No.6, who is a six-time Italian Open champion, withdrew from the tournament a few days after exiting the Madrid Open. The tournament has always been a good practice ahead of the Roland Garros.

However, his withdrawal didn’t come as a surprise as Djokovic has failed to produce an encouraging, consistent performance this season. Apart from the Australian Open and Miami Open, he has struggled in other tournaments. The former World No.1 turns 38 years old this month, which casts more doubts on whether he’s going to win any major title in the future.

However, Djokovic will be seeking his 25th Grand Slam at the French Open, but is not in his best form heading into the tournament. During the aforementioned conversation, Patrick Mouratoglou also questioned why Djokovic withdrew from the Italian Open.

The real question is can he manage to not play matches and get ready for such a big event as a Grand Slam? Nothing replaces matches. Of course, he doesn’t need to play a lot, but he needs to play a few that he is going to win with the right mindset. To think ‘I am going to go to a Grand Slam and suddenly everything is going to click’ is quite a bet. I have questions [about this decision].

Patrick Mouratoglou said

Nonetheless, despite Djokovic’s struggle this season, he can’t be ruled out because of his experience and past performances at major tournaments. He hopes to play his best tennis at the French Open.

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