Novak Djokovic eyes 25th Grand Slam title at French Open amid form slump
Djokovic still chasing 100th ATP title and 25th major as he navigates tough season and rising rivals.
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| Serbia's Novak Djokovic speaks at a press conference ahead of his match at the ATP 250 Geneva Open tennis tournament in Geneva on May 20, 2025. Photo by Fabrice Coffrini/AFP |
By Adila Ghina and Widya Putri
Novak Djokovic launches his campaign for a historic 25th Grand Slam title at the 2025 French Open this week, determined to overcome the hurdles of age, form, and fierce competition in a season that has tested the resilience of one of tennis’s all-time greats.
The 38-year-old Serbian enters Roland Garros without the momentum that once defined his dominance. Although he remains a towering presence in the sport, Djokovic is navigating a period of uncertainty and self-discovery, highlighted by a rare coaching split from former rival Andy Murray and an uncharacteristic run of early tournament exits. Yet the lure of history and the hunger for greatness continue to fuel his drive.
“I know what it takes to be a Grand Slam champion,” Djokovic said before his Geneva warm-up event. “It’s just not as smooth and easy for me as it was 10 years ago. But I still believe I have what it takes.”
A career in transition: Djokovic’s recent struggles
The road to Roland Garros has been bumpy. Since his gold medal triumph at the 2024 Paris Olympics—a victory that capped off his long-standing ambition of Olympic success—Djokovic has yet to win another ATP title. Despite flashes of brilliance, such as his hard-fought Australian Open quarter-final win over Carlos Alcaraz and a deep run to the Miami Masters final, the 24-time Grand Slam winner has lacked consistency.
His loss to teenage Czech sensation Jakub Mensik in the Miami final signaled a shift in the hierarchy. That defeat was followed by back-to-back early exits at Monte Carlo and Madrid, falling to Alejandro Tabilo and Matteo Arnaldi respectively. Notably, Djokovic has suffered six losses this year to players ranked outside the top 30—an anomaly for a player of his stature.
“Trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament,” Djokovic admitted after Madrid. “It’s a completely different feeling from what I had in 20-plus years of professional tennis.”
A fading dominance, but not without hope
Djokovic has not held a top-three ATP ranking since September 2024 and faces increased pressure from the next generation. With Roger Federer retired and Rafael Nadal also stepping away from the sport, Djokovic is the last man standing from the fabled “Big Three.” Yet, while age and injuries are catching up—he withdrew from the 2024 French Open and retired mid-match at the Australian Open—his determination remains unshaken.
Having equaled Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles at the 2023 US Open, Djokovic has since come up short in five successive majors. His closest opportunity came at Wimbledon, where he lost a dramatic final to Alcaraz.
Now, with the 2025 French Open representing another shot at tennis immortality, Djokovic enters Paris under the radar. He skipped the Rome Masters, which Alcaraz won, opting instead for a low-pressure preparation in Geneva—an unusual move for a player known for his regimented Grand Slam build-up.
Competition intensifies with Sinner and Alcaraz in top form
The landscape of men’s tennis has shifted considerably. Jannik Sinner, the reigning world number one, and Carlos Alcaraz, the precocious Spanish talent, have emerged as the clear favorites for this year’s French Open title. Their consistent form, dynamic playing styles, and youthful energy contrast with Djokovic’s battle for rhythm and longevity.
However, Djokovic remains a dangerous opponent. He is a three-time French Open champion and has often proven doubters wrong at the most unexpected moments. The most notable example was in 2018, when he crashed out of Roland Garros in the quarter-finals to Marco Cecchinato while nursing an elbow injury. He dropped out of the top 20 afterward—only to bounce back a month later by winning Wimbledon and reclaiming the world number one spot before the year’s end.
Djokovic refuses to back down
“I feel that I still have the game, that I can be one of the contenders for the top Grand Slam titles,” Djokovic told reporters. His remarks reflect a veteran’s mindset—one shaped by decades of battles at the highest level, and a belief system forged in the fire of elite competition.
He also acknowledged that competing has become “a bit more challenging,” but the passion remains. “Every time I step on the court I feel the nerves, I feel stress, I feel everything that I guess all the other players feel, and excitement as well,” he said last month.
That blend of vulnerability and confidence has become a defining feature of Djokovic’s late career. Far from the invincible force of his prime, he is now a gladiator of grit—still capable of brilliance, but fighting for every inch of legacy.
Roland Garros wide open in 2025
This year’s French Open is widely seen as the most open men’s draw in recent memory. With Nadal absent and Djokovic far from his peak, the door is ajar for new champions to emerge. Yet the Serbian has a history of shining just when he appears down and out.
If Djokovic can rediscover his best form in Paris, he will not only set a new Grand Slam record but also clinch his long-awaited 100th ATP title—a double milestone that would further cement his status as one of the sport’s greatest ever.
As the tennis world watches on, Novak Djokovic’s latest bid for history begins once again under the Parisian skies. Whether he can defy the odds and claim Grand Slam number 25 remains to be seen, but if the past is any indication, writing him off too soon would be a mistake.
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