Novak Djokovic “Doesn’t Need 25th Grand Slam” to Eclipse Margaret Court, Says Journalist

Novak Djokovic, who currently holds a record 24 Grand Slam singles titles, has been told by veteran tennis journalist Steve Flink that he “doesn’t need” a 25th major to surpass Margaret Court’s all-time singles record. Flink’s assertion highlights the differing eras in which the two tennis legends achieved their milestones, arguing that Court’s overall record is inflated by titles won during the amateur era with less competition.

The Debate Over Grand Slam Records and Eras

The discussion around Djokovic’s pursuit of a 25th Grand Slam title often places him in direct comparison with Margaret Court, who also holds 24 major singles titles. However, Steve Flink, a Hall of Fame tennis contributor, contends that this comparison is a “false argument” and a “false target.” Flink points out that a significant portion of Court’s 24 singles Grand Slams, specifically 13 of them, were won before the Open Era began in 1968, when tennis was still an amateur sport.

During the amateur era, Grand Slam draws were often weaker, with top international players sometimes skipping events, particularly the Australian Open. Flink argues that many experts would rank other female players like Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Serena Williams, and Chris Evert above Margaret Court in the conversation for the greatest female player of all time, despite Court’s numerical advantage.

Novak Djokovic’s Open Era Dominance

In contrast, all of Novak Djokovic’s 24 Grand Slam singles titles have been achieved in the Open Era, characterized by full professional participation and intense global competition. Djokovic holds the record for the most major singles championships won by a man, having surpassed Rafael Nadal (22) and Roger Federer (20). He also broke a tie with Serena Williams for the most Grand Slam singles titles in the Open Era among all players, male or female.

Djokovic’s extensive list of accomplishments in the Open Era includes being the only man in tennis history to achieve a triple Career Grand Slam, winning all four majors at least three times. He is also the only player to complete a Career Golden Masters, winning all nine ATP Masters 1000 tournaments, a feat he has accomplished twice.

Djokovic’s Ambitions and the Road Ahead

Despite the ongoing debate about historical comparisons, Djokovic himself has openly expressed his strong motivation to win “as many slams as possible” and eventually surpass Court’s all-time record. He recently claimed his 100th tour-level title at the Geneva Open and stated he was “considering winning a 25th Grand Slam” as he entered Roland Garros.

At 38, Djokovic acknowledges the increasing physical challenges of competing at the highest level against younger rivals like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. While he reached the semifinals of the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon this year, he admitted that age and physical wear are impacting his performance. However, he remains hopeful, particularly viewing Wimbledon as his “best chance” for a 25th major due to his past success on grass.

As the tennis world watches to see if Djokovic can add to his unprecedented tally, the discussion initiated by Flink underscores a growing sentiment that his Open Era achievements already solidify his unique place in tennis history, regardless of whether he reaches the 25-mark.