Novak Djokovic; The Quest For Number 25

Novak Djokovic! The man who’s defied and redefined all tennis logic. The man who, for many years, has been the reference point now finds himself having to pull off one more incredible feat: winning grand slam number 25. Something no one has done in tennis history across both men’s and women’s tennis.

He would essentially be setting himself aside from anyone who’s ever picked up a racket. Some would argue that he already has, but anyone who has followed his outlandish career over the years knows he would want nothing more than to stand head and shoulders above the best of the best.

While such a feat might have felt like a formality only three years ago, with many believing it was only a matter of time, having watched the great man sweep three of the Grand Slams in 2023 and reach the final of all four slams that year. It seems almost inexplicable that he has yet to win the decisive but elusive slam that sets him apart from everyone else.

Sinner and Alcaraz Stand In His Path

However, the answer lies in one word or 2 young men, depending on your preference, “Sincaraz” or “Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz”. These two young men, just 24 and 22 years old, respectively, have become tennis’s unstoppable force, having won every Grand Slam between them since the start of the 2024 season and almost always losing only to one another. Their ever-growing rivalry continues to drive both to new heights, often mind-boggling, as they try to outdo each other. They currently represent men’s tennis’ greatest challenge, one the ATP Tour seemingly has no answer to, and, more critically, not even tennis’ greatest ever problem solver, Djokovic.

There is no doubt that Djokovic remains one of the best players currently, probably the 3rd best player, having reached the semi-finals of all 4 slams last season, where he was twice defeated by Sinner, once by Alcaraz, and had to retire due to injury against Zverev, emphasizing his still very formidable level. However, this is where the real challenge lies, as being 3rd best won’t be good enough.

There appears to be a formidable gap between the Sinner-Alcaraz duopoly and the rest of the tour, including Novak, and to win a history-defining 25th, he would almost certainly have to go past at least one of the pair or, even worse, both. To say that Djokovic has found this daunting is an understatement; in fact, since the start of the 2024 season, he’s faced either of them 9 times only winning 2, both against Alcaraz, with the last of these wins coming in January 2025 at the Australian open; which also represents his only win at grand slam level against either in 7 matches.

Djokovic Needs Luck and Skill

If Djokovic manages to clinch his 25th, it looks more likely that several factors will need to align, where he wouldn’t have to face either enroute to the trophy. Otherwise, to achieve it going through them at the age of 38, pushing 39, will probably be Novak’s most remarkable feat, which only further highlights the magnitude of the challenge he faces, considering this is a man who has practically made a career of doing the unthinkable. The consensus appears to be that he’ll fall short of 25, but maybe, as it’s been his story, the great man will have us rising in applause at a grand slam one last time before the curtains get drawn on a truly remarkable career.