Pat Cash points out the main reason he doubts Novak Djokovic can win another Grand Slam
As Novak Djokovic prepares to launch his 22nd professional season at the Australian Open, the quest for a historic 25th Grand Slam title is met with both reverence and skepticism from tennis legends. While the Serbian enters the tournament ranked fourth and remains a formidable contender, former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash has cast doubt on his ability to navigate the modern gauntlet of young stars.
Cash, in an interview with Tennis365, suggested that the cumulative physical demand of beating both world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and the explosive Carlos Alcaraz in back-to-back five-set matches may be beyond the 37-year-old legend. "I don’t see him beating Alcaraz and Sinner in consecutive five-set matches, and that is his problem," Cash stated, highlighting the delicate balance Djokovic must strike in training and recovery at this career stage.
The Australian pointed to Djokovic’s remarkable 2025 season—reaching all four Grand Slam semifinals—as perhaps the most realistic benchmark for success this year. "For Novak to keep going is absolutely phenomenal. He’s always finding solutions… but he might reach the semifinals again, and then he is likely to have a problem that is already familiar to him," Cash added.
Despite the challenges, Djokovic’s unparalleled history at Melbourne Park—where he has won 10 of his 24 majors, including four titles between 2019 and 2023—provides a foundation for optimism. After reaching the semifinals in both 2024 and 2025, the Serbian will aim to channel his renowned resilience and tactical mastery when the draw is revealed on January 15.
The upcoming Australian Open will serve as the ultimate test of whether Djokovic’s meticulously managed longevity can still overcome the sport’s ascendant forces in a best-of-five setting.
