'Mindblowing' Novak Djokovic 'must think he can still win' as he targets 25th Grand Slam but John McEnroe highlights 'problem' at Australian Open

Novak Djokovic is bidding to win a record 25th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, which has been the most successful major of his career. Djokovic is a 10-time champion in Melbourne and former world No. 1 John McEnroe says his record at the tournament is "amazing". However, McEnroe fears Djokovic, 38, may not be physically able to compete with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in Melbourne.

John McEnroe says Novak Djokovic’s record of 10 Australian Open titles is "mindblowing" but has explained why he is doubtful that he can add to that tally.

Djokovic won the first of his 24 Grand Slams at the Australian Open in 2008, and it has been the most successful major of his career.

He is bidding to lift the trophy for an 11th time in Melbourne and become the first player in history to win 25 Grand Slam titles.

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"It is mindblowing," former world No. 1 McEnroe said on TNT Sports.

"We talk about Rafa [Nadal] winning 14 French Opens and you think that doesn’t seem possible, and then you come to Novak and he has won 10 of these. So, you’re like, how does he figure it out each off season?

"In a lot of cases, he hasn’t played and you are not quite sure where he is at physically or mentally. And he comes down here and does his thing and gets in the head of whoever he is playing and figures it out. It’s amazing."

Djokovic made the semi-finals at all four Grand Slams last season but his quest for a record 25th major title has been hampered by the rise of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

Djokovic: Sinner and Alcaraz ‘playing on a different level’ but ‘I like my chances’

Video credit: TNT Sports

Sinner beat Djokovic at Wimbledon and the French Open last year, while Alcaraz ended his hopes at the US Open.

McEnroe believes that Djokovic "must think he can still win" the Australian Open, but doubts whether he can overcome both Sinner and Alcaraz in the latter stages.

"In his heart of hearts and in my opinion, no. I don’t think he can beat both of those guys when he has already had to go through five matches - that’s the problem. That’s the reality he has talked about. 

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"A lot of people might think, 'Why are you still going at this point, you haven’t won in a couple of years and you are so used to winning?’ Why not would be the question?

"In my book, he is No. 3 in the world. He made four semis last year and beat Alcaraz here. He must think he can still win this otherwise because he won’t play unless he thinks he can win, which is tougher because he doesn’t play much."

McEnroe added that Djokovic deserves his moment in the sun, having often played second fiddle in terms of popularity to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

"He was like Ivan Drago [from the Rocky films] with Nadal and Federer, who were so popular, and then along comes Alcaraz and everyone loves him. He [Djokovic] is like, ‘Where is my love? I deserve it.' And he does deserve it.

"He has been an unbelievable positive for our game and his record speaks for itself. He has always been extremely intelligent and the other players love him. So strut yourself, Novak, and enjoy every minute of it."

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Video credit: TNT Sports

Djokovic has not played competitively since early October 2025, when he won his 101st career title in Athens.

He began the new year by withdrawing from Adelaide, saying he was not "physically ready to compete", and TNT Sports expert Tim Henman thinks the physical aspect could be the greatest test for Djokovic.

"When you reflect on his consistency last year in the Slams, he was absolutely brilliant and it took the two best players to defeat him, and he beat Alcaraz here [in Melbourne]. 

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Video credit: TNT Sports

"I am fascinated to see where his level is at from a tennis point of view, but also a physical point of view, because it’s only going to get harder as he gets older, and best of five is challenging.

"You think about all his training routine and nutrition, he has raised the bar, but the challenge is trying to improve. It’s very difficult to improve when you are that good and his movement can’t be as good.

"If you don’t move as well, you probably have to take more risks from the back of the court and play more aggressively."

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