‘It might be harder for Novak Djokovic to beat Jannik Sinner than Carlos Alcaraz’
Legendary coach Patrick Mouratoglou predicts that Novak Djokovic will find it tougher to challenge Jannik Sinner than Carlos Alcaraz in 2025.
Djokovic won Olympic gold in 2024 but fell from world No 1 to world No 7 in a difficult season elsewhere, with the Serbian failing to win a Grand Slam title.
It was the first season since 2017 that the 24-time Grand Slam champion had failed to win a major, with Sinner and Alcaraz sweeping the majors.
As he looks to contest for a historic 25th Grand Slam in 2025, Djokovic has hired former rival Andy Murray – who retired this summer – as his coach for the Australian swing.
The partnership has naturally attracted huge attention, with many wondering what impact former world No 1 Murray could have on the Serbian’s game.
Mouratoglou, most known for his work with Serena Williams, believes there are pros and cons to Djokovic’s decision to enlist the services.
And, speaking to Tennis Majors, the Frenchman believes facing down world No 1 Sinner will be among Djokovic’s toughest tasks this coming season.
He said: “Is Andy the right person to motivate him [Djokovic]? I would say yes and no.
“I would say no because I don’t think he has that personality, he’s very quiet, but he’s very smart, and I think he’ll have good ideas on how to challenge Novak so that he finds a new form of motivation.
ATP Tour News
Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz ‘deserve’ to be compared to Big 3 claims Grand Slam champion
“The challenge is huge because the level of Alcaraz and Sinner is impressive. It might be harder for Novak to beat Sinner than Alcaraz, because Jannik doesn’t give anything away.
“Sinner has the same skills as Novak, he covers the court very well, he doesn’t miss anything and he takes the ball earlier than Novak. So Novak will have to get back into incredible shape to dominate Sinner.
“I’m not saying it’s easy to beat Alcaraz, it’s not.”
Djokovic will start his 2024 season at the Brisbane International, where he will avoid playing the likes of Alcaraz and Sinner.
The world No 7 will be the top seed at the ATP 250 event, heading a draw that also features reigning champion Grigor Dimitrov, 2024 runner-up Holger Rune, and the returning Nick Kyrgios.
Djokovic will then head to Melbourne for the Australian Open, where he was beaten in the last four by Jannik Sinner 12 months ago – his first defeat in 11 previous semi-finals at the tournament.
That was one of two defeats to Sinner for Djokovic in 2024, with the 37-year-old also beaten by the Italian in the Shanghai Masters final.
Djokovic was beaten by Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final, though turned the tables in the Olympic gold medal match weeks later.
Read Next: Tim Henman names his favourites to win the 2025 Australian Open men’s and women’s titles
