Serena Williams' ex-coach says Novak Djokovic's real goal post was only Steffi Graf's 22 Slams, roots for Serb to beat Margaret Court's 24 tally

Serena Williams' ex-coach Rennae Stubbs recently shared her thoughts on why she wants Novak Djokovic to surpass Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam titles. The Serb who has already matched Court's record, will be aiming to win his record 11th and his 25th overall Major title at the 2025 Australian Open.

Djokovic is widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players in history. He has claimed 10 Australian Open titles, seven at Wimbledon, four US Open titles, and three at Roland Garros.

On the other hand, Steffi Graf concluded her career with 22 Grand Slam titles - four at the Australian Open, six at the French Open, seven at Wimbledon, and five at the US Open. She also won one women's doubles title, at Wimbledon in 1988 alongside Gabriela Sabatini.

Recently, while speaking on "The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast," Stubbs expressed her amazement at Novak Djokovic's achievement of winning the Australian Open 10 times. She pointed out that while most players excel on hard courts, the Serb's consistent success in Melbourne is "outrageous" and "mind-boggling".

​

“Obviously we know that’s the tournament [Australian Open] where he plays his best tennis. He plays great everywhere but he’s won that 10 times, which is outrageous. I mean the only person that you can even talk about in the same category is of course Rafa winning 14 French Opens. Everyone really can play on hard courts. So the fact that he’s won 10 Australian Opens is just mind boggling,” Stubbs said [32:53 onwards].

Former German tennis star Andrea Petkovic also weighed in, predicting that in the 2025 season, Novak Djokovic would give his all to secure his 25th Grand Slam title either at the Australian Open or Wimbledon.

“So my prediction for Novak is that he will not give a flying F about any of the tournaments except for the Australian Open and Wimbledon and he will make a huge push with everything he still got left in that cute 40 year old body of his, will put everything into winning one of these, try and get to 25 and then drop the f*** out,” Andrea Petkovic added.

The former doubles World No.1 also mentioned that she hoped that the Serb would win his 25th Major title and go on to break Margaret Court's record of winning 24 Grand Slam singles titles.

“I hope to God he does that. Like, I’m not kidding you . If he wins the Australian Open, I would like him to drop the mic. I would really love to see Novak win one more cause God knows I want that Margaret Court record to be never talked about ever again ‘cause they changed the goal posts. It was always Steffi Graf. Steffi Graf, 22 grand slams. I mean who’s going to do that at 20? She did that at 29,” Rennae Stubbs added.

Rennae Stubbs also mentioned that Steffi Graf's feat of winning 22 Grand Slam titles by the age of 29 is a milestone that may never be replicated.

Novak Djokovic won his 24th Grand Slam title at US Open 2023

Novak Djokovic at the 2023 US Open [Source: Getty]

Novak Djokovic won his 24th Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open. He was seeded second in the tournament and kicked off his campaign by defeating Alexandre Muller 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 in the first round and Bernabe Zapata Miralles 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 in the second.

The Serb then went on to overcome 32nd seed and compatriot Laslo Djere 4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3 and qualifier Borna Gojo -2, 7-5, 6-4 in the third and fourth rounds, respectively.

In the quarterfinals, the former World No.1 registered a 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 win over ninth seed Taylor Fritz and then in the semifinals triumphed over Ben Shelton 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(4) to secure his place in the final.

In the title match, Novak Djokovic defeated Daniil Medvedev 6–3, 7–6(7–5), 6–3 to win the 2023 US Open, his fourth New York Major title and record-extending 24th Grand Slam title overall.

​