Mouratoglou backs Djokovic for more Grand Slam success

When the time came for the 2024 Australian Open, there was no doubt who was the top favorite for the title. But from the early stages of the tournament, something seemed a bit off in the record 10-time Australian Open champion’s game. And while he managed to make it past his opening five matches in Melbourne, he was given no chance by Jannik Sinner in the semifinal.

A couple of months later, Djokovic reached the French Open quarterfinal but had to withdraw due to a knee injury. At Wimbledon, the 37-year-old got beaten by Carlos Alcaraz in the final for a second consecutive year. The US Open title defense was a catastrophe after the current world No. 4 suffered a shock third-round loss to Alexei Popyrin.

Djokovic maybe didn’t win a Slam title this season but he captured the gold medal at the Paris Olympics and completed his resume.

Heading into the 2025 season, Sinner and Alcaraz – who splits Majors between them this year – are considered the two top favorites for the biggest titles next year. But Mouratoglou – who recently started working with Naomi Osaka – is not ready yet to write off the record 24-time Major winner.

“I think he had a very bad year, but it came after an incredible year. Let’s not forget that only last year he won three Grand Slams and played in the final of the other. So we shouldn’t forget that was just one year ago, not ten years ago, just one year ago. He won the Olympics which was his main focus this year, beating Carlos in the final, playing fantastic tennis, so he is not far away. I think he can beat them (Sinner and Alcaraz). It’s very hard, there was a lot of margin before, but now there is none. When he plays them I think anyone can win, but I don’t think he’s far behind. I think he can still win Grand Slams, I’m sure about it,” Mouratoglou explained.

In one of his recent interviews, Djokovic said that he is aware that some are pushing the narrative that he is done and that he should walk away from tennis. However, he made it clear that he plans to keep playing and return for the 2025 season.

Since the Australian Open has been by far Djokovic’s most successful Grand Slam, there is no doubt that the 37-year-old will arrive in Australia looking to end his Slam drought there.