Patrick Mouratoglou has opined that Novak Djokovic can compete with Jannik Sinner only if he is driven by an overwhelming, specific goal, as his peak level at this point in his career largely depends on how badly he wants to achieve something.
Djokovic, now 38, enters the Australian Open as a 10-time champion with the chance to secure a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, which would make him the most successful player in the history of sport.
Serena Williams’ former coach Mouratoglou, however, believes Djokovic may face a much tougher challenge en route to the crown at this year’s Australian Open, particularly with two-time defending champion Sinner in his half of the draw.
Mouratoglou said Djokovic is no longer competing primarily for accolades or the elusive 25th major, but instead for his love of tennis and the adrenaline of competition.
“Do I think that this Novak can compete with Jannik? For me, Novak cannot compete with Jannik. Unless, here (in his head), he wants it really, really, really, badly, and it is a big goal for him to win his 25th Grand Slam, and I don’t feel that, I don’t hear it. I don’t hear that for him it is so important. He is more here because he is happy to continue playing because of his love for tennis, the adrenaline, but not because he wants this 25th Grand Slam more than anything else,” Mouratoglou said on his livestream during the Australian Open.
The Frenchman referenced Djokovic’s run to Olympic gold in 2024, which included a victory over a dominant and in-form Carlos Alcaraz in the final, as an example of how motivation can elevate his level, something he’s done all his career.
“When he wanted the Olympic Games, he played at a different level than the rest of the season. He is really like this, Novak. He needs to want something really badly to be able to bring his whole body to that level,” Mouratoglou concluded.
Djokovic cemented his status as arguably the most successful tennis player of all time by capturing the elusive Olympic gold medal in 2024, the only honour missing from his glittering resume.
He defeated Alcaraz 7-6(3), 7-6(2) to become just the fifth player to complete a singles Golden Slam (winning all four Grand Slam titles and Olympic gold), joining the likes of Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Andre Agassi, and Steffi Graf.
Djokovic Reaches 100 Australian Open Wins as Records Continue to Tumble
Djokovic emphatically opened his Australian Open campaign with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Pedro Martinez, delivering a dominant performance in which he did not face a single break point. The win marked his 100th career victory at the Australian Open, improving his record at the tournament to 100–10.
The win also made Djokovic the first man to record 100 or more Grand Slam match wins on all three surfaces, adding to his 102 victories on Wimbledon’s grass and 101 on the clay courts of Roland Garros.
In addition, he equalled Roger Federer’s record by making his 21st Australian Open appearance and competing in his 81st Grand Slam event.
Djokovic will face Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli in the second round on Wednesday. Maestrelli secured his first-ever Grand Slam match win by coming through a hard-fought five-setter against Terence Atmane in the opening round.
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