Djokovic’s Grand Slam Quest: Del Potro’s Insights

As Novak Djokovic chases his 25th Grand Slam title, the tennis world is abuzz with speculation. Can the Serbian legend add another major to his illustrious career? Juan Martin del Potro, a former rival and friend, has weighed in on Djokovic’s chances, offering an insightful perspective on the 37-year-old’s pursuit of history.

Del Potro’s Endorsement: “He Can Win More Slams”

Del Potro, who faced Djokovic numerous times on the court, including a memorable victory at the 2016 Rio Olympics, believes that Djokovic still has the potential to win more Grand Slams. Despite Djokovic’s recent struggles to capture a major title since the 2023 US Open, Del Potro remains optimistic.

“Winning a Grand Slam is something very personal for him, I believe,” said Del Potro. “I believe he can win more Slams. In tennis terms, he is the best. He has a lot of experience. If he can be in good physical shape, he will keep trying and possibly succeed. It would be a great thing for the world of tennis if he manages to win again after some time, as he did in Paris with the gold medal.”

Djokovic’s Focus: Grand Slams Above All

Djokovic’s recent shift in focus towards Grand Slam tournaments signals his determination to add to his record-breaking tally. At this stage of his career, the majors hold paramount importance, and he is strategically gearing his efforts towards these pinnacle events. After an injury-hampered start to 2025, including a withdrawal from the semi-finals at the Australian Open, Djokovic is eager to prove he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level.

The Physical Challenge: Can Djokovic Stay Fit?

Del Potro emphasized the importance of physical fitness for Djokovic’s chances. “If he can be in good physical shape, he will keep trying and possibly succeed,” he noted. The grueling nature of Grand Slam tournaments demands peak physical condition, and Djokovic will need to manage his fitness carefully to withstand the challenges of seven best-of-five-set matches.

The Competition: Sinner and Alcaraz Leading the Charge

While Djokovic remains a formidable force, the emergence of young stars like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz presents a significant challenge. These players have already demonstrated their ability to compete with and defeat Djokovic, signaling a shift in the landscape of men’s tennis. Djokovic will need to overcome these rising stars if he hopes to add to his Grand Slam collection.

Grand Slam Opportunities in 2025

Here’s a look at the remaining Grand Slam opportunities for Djokovic in 2025:

Roland Garros

Djokovic’s campaign at Roland Garros in May will be a crucial test. Having won the title in 2023, he knows what it takes to succeed on the Parisian clay. However, the physical demands of the surface and the presence of clay-court specialists like Carlos Alcaraz will make it a difficult challenge.

Wimbledon

According to most insiders, Djokovic’s biggest chances will be at Wimbledon this summer. His record at the All England Club is exceptional, with seven titles to his name. The grass-court surface suits his game well, and he will be a strong contender for the title.

US Open

The US Open, where Djokovic triumphed in 2023, will be another opportunity for him to add to his Grand Slam tally. The fast hard courts of Flushing Meadows have been a happy hunting ground for him in the past, and he will be eager to repeat his success.

Djokovic’s Career Achievements: A Legacy of Greatness

Novak Djokovic’s career is one of unparalleled success. His achievements include:

• 24 Grand Slam singles titles: The most in men’s tennis history.
• Record 428 weeks as world No. 1: Demonstrating his sustained dominance at the top of the game.
• Record 8 year-end No. 1 finishes: Further highlighting his consistency and longevity.
• 99 singles titles: Third-most in the Open Era.
• 72 Big Titles: (24 majors, a record 40 Masters, a record seven year-end championships, and an Olympic gold medal.)
• Only man to achieve a triple Career Grand Slam: Winning each Grand Slam at least three times.
• Only player to complete a Career Golden Masters twice: Winning all nine Masters 1000 events twice.
• Only player to have won all of the Big Titles over the course of his career.
• Career Golden Slam: Third men’s singles player to ever complete the Career Golden Slam after winning gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The Quest for 100 Titles

Beyond Grand Slams, Djokovic is also pursuing another significant milestone: 100 career titles. As of April 2025, he has 99 titles, placing him third in the Open Era behind Roger Federer and Jimmy Connors. He came close to achieving the milestone at the Miami Open but lost to Jakub Mensik in the final. Djokovic’s schedule includes participation in Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome, all leading up to the French Open.

Djokovic’s 2025 Season So Far

Djokovic’s 2025 season has been a mix of challenges and successes. He began the year at the Australian Open, where he reached the semi-finals before retiring due to injury against Alexander Zverev. He then aimed to win his 100th career title at the Miami Open but was defeated in the final by Jakub Mensik.
Despite these setbacks, Djokovic remains positive and focused on his goals for the remainder of the season.

The Impact of Andy Murray

Novak Djokovic has added Andy Murray to his coaching team. As Djokovic mentioned, his opponents knew his game a lot more than vice versa. This is where Murray comes in. You could say Djokovic gave tennis fans a gift when he chose to hire his friend, rival and three-time Grand Slam winner. Just look at the buzz it created.

Conclusion: Can Djokovic Achieve Grand Slam No. 25?

Juan Martin del Potro’s assessment provides valuable insights into Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam chances. While acknowledging the challenges posed by age, physical demands, and emerging rivals, Del Potro remains confident in Djokovic’s ability to win more major titles. Whether Djokovic can defy the odds and add to his already remarkable legacy remains to be seen, but his pursuit of Grand Slam No. 25 promises to be a captivating storyline in the world of tennis.