Nerves could derail history bid, Patrick Mouratoglou warns Novak Djokovic

ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic looking ahead

Novak Djokovic will struggle under the pressure of history at the US Open, Patrick Mouratoglou has warned.

Djokovic can earn a double slice of history if he wins the US Open, with him completing a Calendar Slam as well as setting a new record for career majors in the men’s game.

Mouratoglou is Serena Williams’ coach and he has seen first hand how she has struggled to win what would be a historic 24th Grand Slam title, so he fears for Djokovic too.

Speaking to Eurosport, Mouratoglou said: “This year is special for Novak, he was always far from the two others (Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal) in terms of number of Grand Slams.

“Now, he is equal – 20 – 20 – 20. So, he knows it’s an opportunity to really re-write history and I can feel that the tension throughout the year is getting bigger and bigger.

“The first two sets of the Roland-Garros final against Stefanos Tsitsipas I felt he was super nervous, much more than usual.

“At the Olympics, he kind of lost it a little bit, he got crazy angry and he lost. I can feel it building. This moment for him is a lot about dealing with his nerves.

“In the last tournament he played he lost in a semi-final against Alex Zverev when he got crazy nervous so he has a bad taste in his mouth and he needs to get rid of it.”

Novak Djokovic Patrick Mouratoglou US Open

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