Patrick Mouratoglou has suggested that the 23-time major champion Novak Djokovic is now beatable on bigger stages because of the “the weight of history” that comes with them to his shoulders.
The Frenchman, who has formerly coached another 23-time Slam Champion Serena Williams thinks that being the “ultimate favorite all the time” puts the Serb in a tricky position. The comments came after Novak’s dethroning at the hands of Carlos Alcaraz in a five set classic at SW19. Bade favorite by many to clinch the record equaling 8th Wimbledon crown, Novak recorded his first loss in a completed match since 2016 (L. to Sam Querrey in 4 in R3) and on prestigious Center Court since 2013 (L. to Murray in 5 in straight sets).
The 36-year old was also bidding to equal Federer and Borg’s record of five straight Championships and complete third leg of a potential Calendar Slam after securing titles at Melbourne and Paris.
The top coach pointed out the mental aspect as the reason separating the veteran and young gun in the Championship showdown.
“The reason why Carlos won the Wimbledon final, I believe is because he felt free to go for his shots in the big moments and Novak didn’t. It was a very mental match and both of the guys get tense,” explained the Frenchman in a video posted on his Instagram account.
“I mean a Grand Slam final has to be mental, for sure. And I think the best image is this tiebreak in the second set, and he (Djokovic) has this backhand and he hits the net. He could have killed the match and he didn’t.
“We can say the same for Carlos, he was two sets to one up and he had these two break points at the start of the fourth. And Novak is really super down at that time, and he (Alcaraz) doesn’t make them either.
“But at the end, if you put Novak in the perspective of where Carlos is now, Novak would have done the same. Playing like the underdog and playing unbelievable in the big moments.”
The 53-year-old, who is currently offering tutelage to #6 seed Dane Holger Rune, believes that the pressure to maintain streaks and shatter records to make history is affecting the mental side of Djokovic’s game.
“I think in the situation he is now, he is really beatable in those matches because of the weight of history. I feel that being this ultimate favorite all the time and playing for history – it has to be a burden. I don’t think Carlos has an edge on Novak,” continued Mouratoglou.
“I think, he beat him in a Grand Slam final, Novak beat him in Roland Garros. So I think both players are very close in terms of level. I think Novak can play much better than what he he did in the final. I think he was very nervous. He has to be able to play more free.”