There’s no denying that time is catching up with Novak Djokovic. With his 38th birthday just around the corner, the remarkable 24-time Grand Slam winner is beginning to show signs that his dominance might be waning.
However, as the clay-court season kicks off in Monte Carlo, Djokovic looks far more promising than he did just a couple of weeks ago. His runner-up finish in Miami against young Czech talent Jakub Mensik indicates that the current world number five isn’t ready to hang up his racket anytime soon.
“Keeping my motivation up has definitely become tougher throughout my career, but what I showcased in Miami has reignited my desire to keep pushing forward,” Djokovic remarked.
Aware that his serve needs to be sharp if he hopes to make waves at the French Open and Wimbledon, Djokovic recognizes that he can’t solely rely on physical endurance against his younger competitors. He’s placing his bets on the precision of his serve—a skill often undervalued in his repertoire—to keep the rallies short and sweet.
Miami was a case in point. Focusing on precision rather than sheer power, Djokovic impressively landed 79% of his first serves, reaching an astonishing 87% in the semi-final against Grigor Dimitrov, and faced a mere seven break points over his first five matches. “Now I know what it’s like to be John Isner,” he quipped after his victory over Dimitrov.
Though Djokovic hasn’t clinched a major title since the 2023 US Open, he did secure Olympic gold last season, fulfilling a long-held dream. With Roland Garros on the horizon, he aims to capture a standalone 25th Grand Slam title this June. Additionally, he’s eager to join the exclusive club of players with 100 tour-level singles titles.
Challenging this goal, though, is a fierce lineup in Monte Carlo, with 17 of the top 20 players in the mix. Britain’s Jack Draper is among the field, while Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz are considered strong contenders.
