At 37, Novak Djokovic continues to defy expectations, proving he still has the energy and skill to compete for major titles. Despite a rare titleless season, he showcased his resilience by clinching the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, defeating Carlos Alcaraz in a remarkable performance. This victory not only marked his first Olympic gold but also added to his already impressive legacy of 24 Grand Slam titles, 99 ATP titles, and an astonishing 428 weeks as the world’s top-ranked player. With a legacy like this, who’s to say Novak isn’t ready to take it up a notch and clinch a new record? Rick Macci certainly believes he is.

The 2025 Australian Open is upon us and the excitement is palpable! While some players have shown their potential in warm-up events, Djokovic faced a surprising quarter-final upset against Reilly Opelka at the Brisbane International. However, it’s crucial to remember that the Serb is a hard-court master particularly when it comes to playing at Rod Laver Arena, boasting an impressive record of 10 Australian Open titles. And Rick Macci firmly believes that Nole is ready to reclaim his title and make a strong statement this season.

Taking to X on Sunday, the former coach of Serena Williams laid his prediction bare, writing, “Was asked if the Joker can win the AUSSIE OPEN. Yes he can for sure. Will he? If he stays injury-free and get more of the BIG C (CONFIDENCE) the Serbian Sniper could taste Victory. @DjokerNole” Seems fair, right?

While Novak Djokovic has proven time and again that he can navigate tough matches and defeat formidable opponents, his recent injuries have raised concerns. After sustaining a knee injury during the 2024 French Open, he was forced to withdraw from the tournament. This setback was compounded by a torn meniscus ahead of Wimbledon. Although he reached the finals, he suffered a tough loss to Carlos Alcaraz, falling 6-2, 6-2, 7-6.

Returning to the US Open as an Olympic gold medalist, Djokovic faced an unexpected early exit in the third round against Alexei Popyrin. He couldn’t end his title drought at the 2024 Shanghai Masters either, where he lost to World No. 1 Jannik Sinner before withdrawing from both the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals due to “ongoing injury,” effectively ending his season early.

However, there’s a silver lining for Djokovic, as he announced a partnership with British legend and former rival Andy Murray to guide him through the first Grand Slam of the season. Hopes are high that this collaboration will help him secure another major title. Roger Federer’s ex-coach also believes it’s entirely possible with Murray by his side.

Stefen Edberg backs up the Djokovic-Murray partnership

Speaking to the BBC on January 7, Roger Federer’s ex-coach Stefen Edberg remarked, “You can never count him out if everything goes right,” referring to Novak Djokovic’s determination as the Serb approaches his 38th birthday. Djokovic is eager to play more tennis and add to his impressive title collection, likely motivated by the prospect of surpassing Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam titles. This ambition may explain his decision to enlist Murray as a coach to help him achieve this milestone. Edberg believes that the Serb’s best chances for success lie at the Australian Open or possibly Wimbledon, given his extensive experience on grass.

Additionally, Edberg emphasized the importance of strategy for both Djokovic and Murray. He is confident that the ten-time Australian Open champion can secure one more trophy for his cabinet, especially with Murray providing fresh insights into his game. “Murray basically goes straight off the tour so he has all the knowledge of the players who play today,” Edberg noted. “But most of all for Novak, I think it’s to create some inspiration, some motivation going forward.” Small adjustments in tactics can make a significant difference in their quest for success.

Now the time is finally here to see if these predictions will play out in Novak’s favor. His first challenge will be the rising star Nishesh Basavareddy on January 13. While Djokovic didn’t start his season with a bang, could he have been saving up his energy for AO? Share your thoughts in the comments below!