Why Novak Djokovic keeps playing: Patrick Mouratoglou says it’s not about Grand Slam No. 25

Mouratoglou took to Instagram to share his thoughts on Djokovic, stating: “He achieved everything, so I feel that something broke the motivation, the drive that made him the greatest of all time, because he is not here anymore. How long is he going to stay in that position? I don’t think long.

“I think he still likes to be there because I think he probably wants to find a great connection with the fans, which he is starting to have.”

Mouratoglou added: “It was difficult while Rafa and Roger were at the top because they had such a strong connection, which was depriving him of having that position and that connection.

“But I think now people value and realise what he has achieved, and start to know him better. He also shows more of himself, and I think he starts to have a great connection with the fans, and I think that’s one of the reasons why he is still here.

“Because definitely the drive doesn’t look like what it was before. It’s a different drive, but it’s not a drive that brings the results that he could have before, and it makes sense and I understand but it’s not producing the results he used to have.”

Novak Djokovic can still break the record for the most titles

While Grand Slam number 25 might be out of reach, there is another milestone that Djokovic could still hit before he calls time on his career.

Currently sitting third on the all-time list for ATP titles, he trails only Roger Federer and Jimmy Connors.

If he decides to play more ATP 500 and 250 tournaments next season, he could close in on Connors’ record of 109 career titles.

But with Djokovic already saying he plans to focus more on Grand Slams and spend additional time with his family, chasing down that number may not be a priority for him.