Tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou has found himself defending controversial remarks about Novak Djokovic's prospects of securing a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.
The Frenchman faced significant backlash from supporters of the former world No 1 after suggesting the Serbian's motivation might not be sufficient to drive him to another major championship.
Following the negative reaction, Mouratoglou took to LinkedIn to elaborate on his position. "Next time you're asked if Novak can win a 25th Grand Slam, think about it, what did he just show us in Paris?" the former coach of Serena Williams wrote, before launching into a detailed explanation of his views on the 38-year-old's current state.
Mouratoglou was keen to emphasise that Djokovic's technical abilities remain intact.
Patrick Mouratoglou has been forced to issue an apology after his comments
PA
"Let's be clear: his tennis hasn't dropped. He's still capable of producing the precision, variation, and timing that made him one of the greatest players in history," he stated.
The coach highlighted Djokovic's impressive showing at Roland Garros, where he defeated high-ranked opponents including Alexander Zverev before taking world No 1 Jannik Sinner to a competitive three-set match in the semi-finals.
"Technically, physically, he's still at the level," Mouratoglou observed.
"Physically, he was also there. Moving well, defending with incredible elasticity, and holding intensity for four full sets."
Despite acknowledging Djokovic's continued technical and physical prowess, Mouratoglou expressed doubts about the Serbian's mental state.
"What stood out to me in that semi final wasn't just the quality of the rallies, it was the body language," he explained.
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Novak Djokovic is chasing his 25th Grand Slam
PAThe coach drew comparisons with the Djokovic of previous years, stating: "The Novak I've known, coached against, and admired for two decades was always a beast on the court, fueled by an inner fire to prove the world or himself wrong, to dominate, to win at all costs.
"Ten days before Wimbledon, a tournament he's won seven times, reaching the final in six of the last editions; there's one thing I'm sure of: Novak Djokovic's tennis is still there. But is his fire?"
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Djokovic's recent Grand Slam performances provide context for Mouratoglou's assessment. The Belgrade native has not claimed a major title since his triumph at the 2023 US Open, marking his longest drought since capturing his first Grand Slam.
The 24-time major champion came close to ending this run at last year's Wimbledon but fell to Carlos Alcaraz in the final. His 2025 campaign has seen him reach the semi-finals at both the Australian Open and French Open, though he failed to progress further at either tournament.
Novak Djokovic is currently preparing for WimbledonGETTYThis represents a notable shift for a player who dominated the Grand Slam landscape for much of the previous decade, winning multiple majors in several seasons.
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