Novak Djokovic will head into the 2026 season full of hope, but well aware of the daunting task that awaits him.
After all, whilst his most recent season was one of overwhelming success, he still fell short in the crucial area that is arguably fuelling his continued presence on the ATP Tour.
He still believes he can win a 25th Grand Slam title.
Frustratingly for him, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have established a duopoly that is dominating every facet of the men’s game right now, shutting out not just him, but everyone else on the ATP Tour.
Novak Djokovic is the tennis GOAT… Prove us wrong
Between them, they have won all of the last eight majors.
And yet, despite the uphill and unlikely nature of this challenge, Novak Djokovic is still making moves that he thinks will provide that crucial edge when it comes time to face them again.
Novak Djokovic adds a new face to his coaching team
Djokovic has clearly identified his physicality as the area in need of the most improvement, and instead of continuing with his current regime, has made a change.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion has added Mark Kovacs to his team.
Djokovic’s decision to add a new face to his coaching team so late in his career might be questioned by some, but this particular individual has a glittering CV that justifies his inclusion.
Having worked with Coco Gauff, among other star athletes, it is said that Kovacs will help Djokovic rebuild his body, as he specialises in physical conditioning, injury prevention and recovery, as well as biomechanics.
Improving Novak Djokovic’s fitness could win him a Grand Slam title
Whenever Djokovic has faced his two young rivals over the last year or two, it has not been technical quality that has let him down.
Instead, after battling hard for a set or two, the Serbian naturally wilts.
At 39 years old, that is to be expected, but it is a problem that he must somehow try to fix if he is to snag that elusive 25th major title.
What does Novak Djokovic need to change to win a 25th Grand Slam title?
Facing Alcaraz in New York, he pushed the Spaniard in the first two sets, narrowly losing them 6-4, 7-6 (4). However, the third set saw his physicality falter, and the score ran away from him.
Similarly at Roland Garros, the straight sets result might make for worrying reading, but the actual 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (3) scoreline shows just how tight each set was.
If Djokovic can somehow add another level of sharpness and longevity to his fitness, it could provide the key difference that makes him able to finally defeat one or both of this duo at a major and complete his unthinkable goal.
