Djokovic Can Win Another Grand Slam Title But 'Needs To Be A Bit Lucky'

Friday, 27 December 2024 at 17:45

byJordan Reynolds

Novak Djokovic's chances of securing another major title were assessed by former French Open semifinalist Andrea Petkovic, who thinks the Serbian will need some luck to achieve that.

Djokovic's last Grand Slam title was the 2023 US Open. 2024 was the first time that he failed to win a major since 2017. Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz split the four Grand Slams last season between them.

That inability to obtain a Grand Slam should not make fans forget that he won the Olympic gold medal that had eluded him for so many years, meaning the seven-time Wimbledon champion has now claimed every significant honor in tennis.

Djokovic remaining near the top of tennis at 37 is already remarkable. His age and Sinner and Alcaraz continuing to improve every season makes some question whether he can challenge for major titles in 2025.

The former ATP world No. 1's response was appointing Andy Murray as his coach. The pair had one of the most significant rivalries in tennis including seven Grand Slam finals and battling for the year-end No. 1 ranking at the 2016 ATP Finals.

Murray has never coached another player meaning his appointment raised some eyebrows. Djokovic explained in an interview a few weeks ago that the Briton might be the perfect choice because he can relate to the pressures of playing on the most significant stages.

It remains to be seen whether the partnership will work. Seven-time Grand Slam champion John McEnroe expects it to be short-lived and doubts Murray will stay with Djokovic beyond the Australian Open.

Others are more optimistic. Doubles legend Todd Woodbridge pointed out that Murray is one of the few players that Djokovic will take criticism from because of the respect he has for his former rival.

On an episode of the Rennae Stubbs Podcast, Petkovic expects Djokovic to be in great shape at the Australian Open after working with Murray but thinks the 24-time Grand Slam champion might need some good fortune to add a 25th major title.

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“I think for him to achieve that extra title, which I think he can definitely, he needs to be a bit lucky. He needs to be lucky in the first week to contain energy. He needs to have a draw where he cruises."

“He will be fit, he will be at 100%, he will come from off-season, he will have trained amazingly and he will have Andy Murray in his box. And so all the negative energy will be trapped in the players’ box, not on the court, in the persona of Andy Murray (laughs)."

“I think he just needs to get a little lucky in the first week so he contains energy in a sense that he cruises through the first four rounds, I’d say. “And then can focus on, because he might play an Alcaraz, might play a Sinner or whoever, and then has his full powers there.”

Djokovic will begin his season at the Brisbane International although Murray is not expected to be with him there. The 37-year-old has agreed to play in the doubles in Brisbane with Nick Kyrgios.