What exactly is stopping Djokovic from winning 25 Grand Slam titles?

This year's Australian Open men's singles final was likely the highest-attended match in the history of Rod Laver Arena. Following the TV coverage, I saw that almost all 14,800 seats were occupied, with the camera often panning over many well-known figures such as Nadal, Bill Gates, Liam Hemsworth, Jay Chou, Hannah Quinlivan, Zheng Kai, Miao Miao, and Eason Chan.

Among all these celebrities, I find Australian women's tennis legend Margaret Court the most unique; she is now a pastor, but she is better known as the holder of 24 Grand Slam titles.

Margaret Court watching the 2026 Australian Open men's final live at the venue

If Djokovic had won that final, he would have broken the shared record of 24 Grand Slam titles held by himself and Margaret Court, reaching 25 and becoming the greatest in history.

After taking the first set 6-2, 38-year-old Djokovic was overturned by 22-year-old Alcaraz, who won the next three sets. While Djokovic's dream of a 25th Grand Slam was shattered, a new record was born—Alcaraz became the youngest ever to complete the career Grand Slam.

The 2026 Australian Open has concluded, but Djokovic’s fans still eagerly await the moment their idol will claim his 25th Grand Slam title.

Since winning the 2023 US Open, Djokovic has been pushing toward the 25 Grand Slam milestone. At Wimbledon 2024, he lost the final in straight sets to Alcaraz. In 2025, Djokovic reached the semifinals in all four majors but was defeated by Zverev (Australian Open), Sinner (French Open and Wimbledon), and Alcaraz (US Open).

At this year's Australian Open, Djokovic beat Sinner in a five-set semifinal but lost to Alcaraz in four sets in the final. His recent Grand Slam results have confirmed many people's views—that to win a Grand Slam, Djokovic must consecutively overcome Sinner and Alcaraz, which has proven to be an impossible task.

Many believe the main reason Djokovic has not reached 25 Grand Slam titles is the decline in his physical fitness and competitive form due to aging, combined with the strength of his opponents.

However, according to Mouratoglou, the real reason is that Djokovic lacks the motivation to chase his 25th Grand Slam.

“The only obstacle preventing Novak from winning more Grand Slams is his motivation. I think he doesn’t have enough drive to pursue 25 titles; otherwise, he would have achieved it already. (Compared to Grand Slams) he is much more passionate about the Olympics, where he beat Alcaraz in the Paris final to win gold.”

“He has spent his life chasing records, wanting to be the greatest ever. He is undoubtedly the most remarkable player in history, with many records that no one will break anytime soon. He used to prepare fully to win every Grand Slam he entered, but now he doesn’t. He no longer expects to go all the way. Why? It’s not age or tennis skill.”

“He is very healthy. As long as he trains and prepares, he can compete. Of course, his recovery isn’t as good as before, but he can still play matches comfortably, at least reaching the quarterfinals or semifinals.”

“Novak has the strongest willpower in tennis history. If he wants something, even if the goal is difficult and his current condition is poor, he will work hard to improve himself and find a way. He will win the crucial points and then win the match.”

“It’s all about motivation. He knows this better than anyone. He holds the key to solve all problems, while most of us do not,” Mouratoglou wrote on social media.

At the same time, Mouratoglou believes Djokovic does not want to surpass Margaret Court. Although both have won 24 Grand Slam titles, there is a clear difference. Margaret Court won her 24 titles between 1960 and 1973, with 11 of them during the Open Era (from the 1968 French Open onward). We all know that winning Grand Slams before and after the Open Era is a completely different challenge.

Mouratoglou thinks Djokovic is not interested in breaking the record of 24 Grand Slam titles.

“Does he want to break a women’s record set last century? Come on. We all know tennis before the Open Era was not professional; all players were amateurs. How can you compare or equate tennis before and after the Open Era? You simply can’t. I don’t think Djokovic is motivated by the 24 Grand Slam record; otherwise, he would have broken it already.”(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Yun Juan Yun Shu)