‘Novak Djokovic arrived with a very average game – it’s incredible he surpassed Federer & Nadal’
Renowned tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou has weighed in on the ever-heated debate surrounding the sport’s all-time greats, expressing awe at Novak Djokovic’s journey to the top and highlighting the Serbian star’s mental strength as the defining factor in his dominance.
Djokovic, now 37, holds the record for most men’s Grand Slam titles with 24, surpassing both Rafael Nadal (22) and Roger Federer (20). He also leads in other major statistical categories, including weeks at world No. 1 and Masters 1000 titles.
‘He Arrived with an Average Game’
Speaking to Eurosport France, Mouratoglou praised Djokovic’s mental fortitude, suggesting that his game was initially not on the same level as Federer or Nadal.
“When you look at the three greatest—whether people like it or not—there’s one who stands out as the greatest of all,” said Mouratoglou.
“He’s been world No. 1 the longest, won the most Slams, the most Masters 1000s, and beat the others on every surface. That’s Novak.”
Mouratoglou went on to describe Djokovic’s early game as “very average,” especially in comparison to Federer and Nadal, who were already dominating the tour when Djokovic arrived.
“It’s incredible that, even today, when you compare their games, Novak is the one who ended up breaking all the records,” he said.
“It shows that tennis success isn’t just about technique or talent—it’s about mindset. Mental strength is what truly makes the difference.”
The Mental Game Matters Most
Mouratoglou emphasized that while talent and skill are vital, Djokovic’s relentless mindset and resilience have been the key to his longevity and greatness.
“I know some people don’t like to hear it, but mentality is the most important factor—by far,” he added.
What About the GOAT Debate?
Addressing the ongoing debate about the “Greatest of All Time,” Mouratoglou acknowledged that numbers aren’t the only measure—but they remain the most objective.
“Of course, I agree that statistics aren’t everything. In 50 years, people may say Federer left a more profound legacy,” he said.
“But if we’re talking about who the best player is in terms of pure achievement, then the answer is clear—it’s Novak.”
“Tennis is a competitive sport. Every week, there’s a winner. Every season, there’s a world No. 1. To say the GOAT isn’t the one with the most success would make the whole debate meaningless.”
Mouratoglou’s Coaching Journey
Patrick Mouratoglou is currently coaching Naomi Osaka and has previously guided tennis legends such as Serena Williams, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Holger Rune.
