If Novak Djokovic cannot, can anyone ever beat Margaret Court's all-time 24 Grand Slam record?
Carlos Alcaraz completely outplayed Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final to successfully defend his title at the SW19. This was the second time in consecutive years that the Spaniard got the better of the Serbian on the latter's beloved grass court, where he had previously reigned supreme seven times. This win for Alcaraz showed his dominance over Djokovic on grass and felt like a passing of the baton from one of the all-time greats to a future tennis superstar.
This defeat will hurt Djokovic more than his previous Grand Slam final losses, as it would have been a significant milestone had he won. The Serbian is chasing a 25th Grand Slam title, a feat no player in history has achieved. However, with time running out for the 37-year-old, the question remains: can he win a record 25th Grand Slam title?
Will Novak Djokovic win another Grand Slam title?
Novak Djokovic was at the top of the world at the end of last year. The Serbian superstar won three Grand Slam finals, having made the final of all four Majors and even added the ATP Finals trophy to his cabinet. However, his 2024 season has been in stark contrast to last season, as he is still awaiting his first title of the year.
Djokovic has struggled against the new generation of players in 2024. The Serbian was given a harsh lesson on his shortcomings by Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open. The Italian completely dominated the Serbian, at a venue where Djokovic has won 10 titles, to knock him out in the semi-final.
Djokovic's poor form against the next generation of players was on display again at the Wimbledon final where he was outplayed by Carlos Alcaraz. The Serbian could not handle the physicality and tenacity of the Spaniard and succumbed to a straight-set loss.
Djokovic looks like a shadow of a player that had won 24 Grand Slam titles, including three last year. The pressure to overtake a legend in Margaret Court might weigh too much on the Serbian and he could crumble under pressure.
In the past too, Djokovic has failed when the chance to create history beckoned. During his US Open final in 2021, Djokovic had a chance of winning the Calendar Slam, but lost to Daniil Medvedev in straight sets and admitted that he felt the pressure of the occasion.
While it is still possible for Djokovic to mount a title challenge in the Majors, the emergence of Alcaraz and Sinner has made it tougher for the Serbian superstar.
Who among the younger generation of tennis stars is most likely to win 25 Grand Slam titles?
Carlos Alcaraz is the most obvious contender to be the next star of world tennis. The 21-year-old has already won four Grand Slam titles and looks set to dominate for years to come. He has a game that suits all surfaces and looks a cut above the rest of the tour. However, the Spaniard has an expansive playing style, like Rafael Nadal, which could result in injuries, and that could deteriorate his career.
Jannik Sinner is another one with the potential to win multiple Grand Slam titles. The Italian opened his Grand Slam account by winning the Australian Open in 2024 but has so far failed to make an impact on the grass and clay courts.
The World No. 1 looks set to be engaged in a rivalry with Alcaraz in the next decade and their head-to-head record on the Grand Slam stage will be a big factor in deciding whether they can reach Court's record of 24 Majors.
In women's tennis, Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek are the likely contenders for Court's record. Gauff is still only 20 but has shown plenty of promise in her young career. The American ace won her maiden Grand Slam at the US Open in 2023 and could be set for a long and successful career ahead.
On the other hand, Iga Swiatek is the best women's player in the world. The Polish star has won five Grand Slam titles already at the age of 23 and her clay-court dominance could mean many more Majors for the current World No. 1. Swiatek could perhaps go on a streak and create a Roland Garros legacy like Rafael Nadal, which would take her closer to Court's record of 24.
Apart from these players, it's tough to see anyone else stepping up and winning more than 20 Grand Slam titles. Over the last two decades, Court's record of 24 Majors looked set to be broken by the 'Big Three' after all of them entered the 20 Grand Slam club. However, things have panned out differently since, and now Djokovic is the only realistic candidate to break Court's record.
Djokovic remains the favourite to be the first player ever to win 25 titles but the pressure of beating Margaret Court's record might weigh too heavy on the Serbian.