Has Novak Djokovic Lost His Edge? Assessing the State of a Tennis Legend

Novak Djokovic, a name synonymous with dominance in the world of tennis, has recently faced questions about his seemingly fading aura. With 24 Grand Slam titles and a record-breaking 428 weeks as world No. 1, Djokovic has established himself as one of the sport’s all-time greats. However, a string of unexpected losses and a relatively lackluster season have led to speculation about whether the 37-year-old Serbian has lost the psychological edge that once made him virtually unbeatable.

The Cracks in the Armor: Recent Losses and Early Exits

Djokovic’s 2025 season has been far from his usual dominant self. It began with a shocking defeat to then-world No. 293 Reilly Opelka in the Brisbane International quarter-finals. While he reached the Australian Open semi-finals, an injury forced him to retire mid-match against Alexander Zverev. [2, 23] He then suffered a first-round loss to Matteo Berrettini at the Qatar Open and an opening match defeat to lucky loser Botic van de Zandschulp at Indian Wells. [2, 22] These losses mark the first time since 2018 that Djokovic has lost three matches in a row. [8, 18]

Adding to the concern, Djokovic hasn’t made it past the quarter-finals in Indian Wells since 2016 and hasn’t won a title since the Olympics last summer. [2, 5] This recent form has prompted questions about his motivation and whether he’s “struggling to play on the desired level.” [2, 8]

The “Aura” Factor: Intimidation and Psychological Edge

For years, Djokovic has possessed an aura of invincibility, intimidating opponents before they even stepped on the court. This “locker room aura” stemmed from his unparalleled success, mental fortitude, and unwavering belief in his abilities. [2] As one of the sport’s greatest players, Djokovic has an intimidation factor like no one else. [2]

However, recent losses have started to erode this aura. Botic van de Zandschulp, after defeating Djokovic in Indian Wells, admitted that his opponent’s recent struggles gave him more belief heading into the match. [2, 5] “Of course, you notice when someone hasn’t won a title in a while. That can give you confidence,” he said. [5]

Coco Vandeweghe, a former WTA world No. 9, has also suggested that Djokovic might be getting “too comfortable with ‘I’m okay with losing’,” indicating a possible decline in his mental toughness. [18]

The Mental Game: Djokovic’s Psychological Strengths

Djokovic’s success has always been heavily attributed to his exceptional mental game. He has openly discussed the importance of mental toughness and how he trains his mind for peak performance. [3, 11] Some of the key psychological tricks that have powered his game include:

• Using fear as motivation: Djokovic admits to fearing losing and letting himself down, using these fears to fuel his determination. [9]
• Observing opponents: He meticulously observes his opponents during matches, looking for signs of weakness or discomfort. [9]
• Positive self-talk: Djokovic focuses on positive messages and affirmations to combat negative thoughts and doubts. [3]
• Conscious breathing: He uses conscious breathing techniques to manage stress and regain focus during tense moments. [3, 9]
• Letting go of anger: Djokovic has learned to forgive himself for mistakes and move on quickly, rather than dwelling on negativity. [3]

Djokovic himself has stated that “Tennis is a mental game. Everyone is fit, everyone hits great forehands and backhands”. [16]

Rivals’ Perspective

Many of Djokovic’s rivals have departed in the “golden era” of tennis. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray who were considered Djokovic’s greatest rivals are no longer competing against him which could have an emotional impact on Djokovic. [1, 4] Andre Agassi cited the experience from his own career where he had to deal with the retirement of his great rival Pete Sampras. [4] Agassi stated that “When Pete (Sampras) retired, it was a blow to me. It set me back a little bit. It made me have to rediscover my inspirations on some level. And he’s (Djokovic) lost the guys that he’s made history with”. [4]

Is the Decline Permanent? Factors to Consider

While Djokovic’s recent struggles are undeniable, it’s premature to declare that his aura is gone for good. Several factors could be contributing to his dip in form:

• Age and physical toll: At 37, Djokovic is no longer the young, tireless player he once was. The physical demands of professional tennis may be taking a toll on his body, leading to injuries and slower recovery times. [4, 8]
• Motivational shifts: Having achieved almost every major milestone in the sport, Djokovic’s motivation may have shifted. He has admitted that he had “completed” tennis when he won gold at the Paris Olympics. [8] However, he is still chasing a few records, including the all-time Grand Slam wins record and the most career titles. [8]
• Increased competition: The Next Gen of players, led by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, have emerged as serious contenders, pushing Djokovic harder than ever before. [14]
• Coaching changes: After parting ways with his long-time coach, Goran Ivanisevic, there have been speculations about whether this would be his last tour before retirement. [15] Djokovic has teamed up with former rival Andy Murray as his new coach. [4, 23]

The Road Ahead: Can Djokovic Regain His Dominance?

Despite the challenges, it would be unwise to write off a champion of Djokovic’s caliber. He possesses the experience, skill, and mental fortitude to overcome adversity and reclaim his place at the top of the game. [3]

Djokovic has already shown signs of resurgence, returning to Miami with a “bang” and stating that he “wanted to make a statement” after his recent losses. [19, 24] He is still motivated to compete and play. [12, 14]

To regain his dominance, Djokovic may need to:

• Manage his schedule: Prioritize key tournaments and manage his workload to avoid burnout and injuries. [8]
• Adapt his game: Evolve his playing style to compensate for any physical decline and stay ahead of the competition.
• Reignite his motivation: Find new goals and challenges to fuel his competitive fire.
• Trust Andy Murray: Trust in his new coach’s process to level up. [4]

Ultimately, whether Djokovic can reclaim his aura of invincibility remains to be seen. However, his track record suggests that he is more than capable of defying expectations and continuing to make history. [20]