Former Holger Rune Patrick Mouratoglou believes Novak Djokovic can will all four majors and Olympic gold medal in 2024 but feels there could be consequences to the ambition.
The Frenchman feels the 24-time major champion will be no less motivated than he was in 2023 as he wants to extend his Grand Slam haul to unbroken count. Djokovic in a historic run clinched first three majors of his 2021 campaign but missed on a medal at the Tokyo Olympics before losing the US Open final as he was once again one win short of a Calendar Slam.
The World No. 1 will have another chance to complete calendar and also Golden Slam (4 Slams plus Olympic Gold) in the upcoming 2024 season which also happens to be an Olympic year. After sealing the 2023 ATP Finals, Djokovic talked about the possibility of a Golden Slam when he was quizzed about his motivation to continue playing the sport.
“Well, you can win four Slams and Olympic gold (smiling). Let’s see. I mean, I have always the highest ambitions and goals. That’s not going to be different for the next year, that’s for sure,” said the Serb after a near perfect season in his Turin press conference.
Speaking via a video shared on his Instagram account, Mouratoglou gave his take on Djokovic’s 2024 plans and discussed his Golden Slam prospects at 37 (Djokovic will turn 37 in May next year).
“I think Novak in 2024 will be as hungry as he was in 2023. He has a huge goal, he wants to establish a record of Grand Slams who will probably never, ever be beaten in the history. And he’s in a position to do it. He’s 36, he has 24 Grand Slams – already the record,” said the renowned coach.
“He’s fresh physically and mentally. He said, ‘why not win the four Grand Slams next year?’ Maybe it sounds crazy but he won three this year, plus one final. He was one match away from winning the four.
“So he can think about it. And of course the Olympic gold, because that’s the only title that he’s missing and he wants it. Can he do it? Yes he can do it. There will be, of course, reasons not to do it.
“He can get injured and he can be beaten, because he’s not unbeatable. He’s been beaten in the final of Wimbledon by [Carlos] Alcaraz. He lost to [Jannik] Sinner, Holger Rune. Those guys are dangerous and they are the dangers for him.
“But for the moment, he’s still above, and on the big moments when it’s very important. When it’s the big matches, the ones that count the most, his mental strength makes the difference.”
Mouratoglou, who works with his students of the game at Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in France, has worked with some of the biggest APT and WTA tennis stars that include Serena Williams, Simona Halep, Coco Gauff, Stefanos Tsitsipas and most recently Holger Rune.