Novak Djokovic hasn’t won a Grand Slam title since the 2023 US Open, but his former coach Goran Ivanisevic thinks he’s still got what it takes.
That’s pretty remarkable when you think about it. There used to be years when it was basically impossible to imagine Djokovic ending a season without a major title.
Since 2011, he’s only had two seasons without a Grand Slam win. One was in 2017, and the other was last year in 2024.
| Name | Age | Points | Stats 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Novak Djokovic | 38 | 8,360 | 18 - 6 |
If Djokovic doesn’t win this year’s Wimbledon Championships, he’ll match his longest streak of Grand Slams without a title since 2011. That’s definitely an alarming sign for any tennis fan.
But Ivanisevic isn’t worried at all.
A Different Perspective
Ivanisevic now coaches Stefanos Tsitsipas – the same guy he recently criticized for his physical condition. As Tsitsipas’s coach, he’s had a chance to watch Djokovic up close when the two players practiced together.
The 53-year-old Croatian spoke to Sasa Ozmo for CLAY in London, covering lots of topics including the 24-time Grand Slam champion. According to Ivanisevic, watching Djokovic compete is still pure joy.
"The other day he and Tsitsipas practiced together. It was a joy to watch, especially now that I’m on the other side. When I was his coach, it was great, but you’re always focused — what will he say, what to look for. Now I could just enjoy it. Such ease of movement, ease of play — the ball flies at 300 km/h thanks to his technique and timing."
Looking Ahead to LA
Djokovic has mentioned he might compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Ivanisevic thinks that’s totally realistic, considering how well he’s still playing.
"If you look at that, he can play until LA. Motivation is another matter — showing up, training — he’s 38. But here, he looks ready, playing well, I get the sense he sees his opportunity. He just has to manage the nerves — sometimes that… I won’t say it ‘eats him up,’ but it affects his execution."
The nerves thing is really interesting. Even at 38, even with all those titles, Djokovic still struggles with managing pressure sometimes.
Recent Grand Slam Results
Let’s be honest – Djokovic’s recent Grand Slam results haven’t been great. He lost in the semi-finals of last year’s Australian Open, had to withdraw before the French Open quarter-finals, lost in the Wimbledon final, and crashed out of the US Open in just the third round.
This year hasn’t been much better.
He retired from his semi-final match at the Australian Open and lost in the semis at Roland Garros to Jannik Sinner. But Ivanisevic has a theory about that Australian Open match – he thinks if Djokovic hadn’t been injured, there’s no way Alexander Zverev would have beaten him.
That’s a pretty bold statement, but coming from someone who coached Djokovic for years, it carries some weight.
More Chances Coming
Here’s the thing that might surprise people – Ivanisevic doesn’t think this year’s Wimbledon is Djokovic’s last shot at a Grand Slam. Not even close.
"And it’s not his last chance — he has a shot at the US Open too. In Melbourne this year — if he hadn’t gotten injured, no way Zverev beats him, and the final with Sinner would have been interesting."
The Croatian coach clearly still believes in his former player’s abilities. And when you consider how Djokovic looked in practice with Tsitsipas, maybe that confidence isn’t misplaced.
At 38, most tennis players would be thinking about retirement. But Djokovic isn’t most players. He’s still moving with that same ease, still hitting balls at crazy speeds thanks to his technique and timing.
The question isn’t really whether he can win another Grand Slam – it’s whether he can manage those nerves and stay healthy when it matters most.
