“The drive doesn’t look like what it was before” : Patrick Mouratoglou believes Novak Djokovic has lost motivation after Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer retirement

Novak Djokovic is probably in the last part of his career, with the Serb giving subtle hints of retirement next season. Novak Djokovic managed to reach the semifinals of all four Grand Slams this season, however, failed to make it to the finals in any event. The Serb has also won just a single title this season, having played only a couple of tournaments in the last few months.

French coach Patrick Mouratoglou believes Novak Djokovic has lost the motivation after Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer’s retirement. He stated that one of the reasons the Serb is still competing is to earn fans’ affection, something which has always been difficult for him. The Frenchman believes that the former world number one has lost the drive that made him the greatest player of all time.

“He (Djokovic) achieved everything. So I feel that something broke the motivation, the drive that made him as the greatest of all time. He’s not here anymore. How long is he going to stay in that position? I don’t think long,” Mouratoglou said. “I think he still likes to be there because I think he probably wants to find a great connection with the fans, which he starts to have. It was difficult while Rafa and Roger were at the top, because they had such a strong connection that it was depriving him from having that position and that connection,” he added.

“He’s not producing the results he used to have” : Patrick Mouratoglou on Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic has only competed in the three Grand Slams in the last three months. The Frenchman believes that the Serb is no longer producing the results we are used to seeing from him, as he was outclassed by Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets in the 2025 US Open semifinals.

“Definitely the drive doesn’t look like what it was before. It’s a different drive, but it’s not a drive that brings the results that he could have before, and it makes sense, and I understand, but he’s not producing the results he used to have,” the Frenchman added.

Novak Djokovic will mark his return to the court at the Shanghai Masters, which will be his first ATP tournament since the Geneva Open in May. Seeded fourth at the Shanghai Masters, he has received a bye in the first round, and will open his campaign later this week.