Novak Djokovic, in the twilight of his illustrious career, has made no secret of his laser focus on Grand Slam glory. The Serbian icon, fully aware that year-round dominance is no longer within reach, has poured his energy into the four marquee events, chasing history with every swing. His last Major triumph came at the 2023 US Open, but since then, he’s only managed one more final—falling hard to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon 2024.
At 37, the Belgrade native remains vocal about his hunger for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title. Yet, the road ahead is steep. His game isn’t the unstoppable force it once was, and a wave of young stars has turned the hunt into a gauntlet. Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have emerged as the men’s tour’s new torchbearers, but they’re not Djokovic’s only threats. Take Jack Draper—fresh off his maiden Masters 1000 win at Indian Wells, the Brit has stormed into the ATP Top 10, signaling a rapid ascent.
Meanwhile, Djokovic’s grip on the elite rankings is slipping, setting him up for brutal draws. At the 2025 Australian Open, he collided with Alcaraz in the quarterfinals, and Roland Garros could serve up similar chaos. The landscape has shifted, and the old guard faces a relentless new breed.
Adding fuel to the narrative, former ATP player Jules Marie didn’t hold back in critiquing Djokovic’s intensity. During an Instagram Live, Marie recounted sparring with him at the 2021 French Open, painting a tense picture: “I did five sessions with Djokovic, and it was rough. He was a ticking time bomb—nerves ready to snap. Miss a shot by an inch, and he wouldn’t even bother chasing it. Just glared at you like you’d ruined his day. Not fun.” For all his 24 Grand Slam titles, managing Djokovic’s fiery edge clearly isn’t for the faint-hearted.
