Ivanisevic: Novak Djokovic's dictionary does not contain the phrase "I cannot."

Novak Djokovic's former coach, Goran Ivanisevic, was recently asked in an interview about the question all tennis fans are concerned with—can Djokovic, the 38-year-old greatest player in history, still lift his 25th Grand Slam trophy? His response was devoid of official jargon or polite platitudes, only a certainty born from deep understanding:“If I hadn't worked with him, I might also say it's impossible. But precisely because I know him, I know that in his dictionary, there simply are no words like 'I can't' or 'impossible.'"

The weight of this statement lies in the fact that the speaker was once one of the core members of Djokovic's team. From 2018 to 2024, Ivanisevic accompanied Djokovic through another golden phase of his career, witnessing him win multiple Grand Slam titles and break countless records even after turning thirty. He knows too well how strong that Serbian's inner resolve is, and too well how the external assertions that "he's done" have repeatedly been shattered.

Ivanisevic then shifted focus directly to the voices questioning Djokovic's motivation to continue playing:“Many wonder where his drive to keep competing comes from. I hear some so-called experts constantly dismissing him; honestly, I doubt if they truly understand tennis. Djokovic continues to play because he purely loves competition, loves the feeling of being on the court, loves victory itself. As long as this passion remains, he will always stand among the top ranks.”

This statement hits the core of the issue. In a professional sports world obsessed with utility, people are accustomed to speculating about great athletes' retirement times with questions like "what else is left to prove?" But for someone like Djokovic, 24 Grand Slam titles are not the endpoint, nor is being ranked number one in history—what truly drives him is the pure competitive joy of standing on one side of the net facing another top player. That is something which cannot be measured by trophy counts, yet is a trait shared by all great champions.

Ivanisevic also presented a highly persuasive set of comparative data:“Look at his tournament frequency last year, and see that he still firmly holds the world No. 3 ranking. Although people always talk about young players, honestly, they haven't truly reached that level yet. Yes, Sinner and Alcaraz are indeed on another level, Zverev has also been consistently stable, but Novak is unique—he is the greatest of all time and should never be excluded from the contenders.”

These words are calm and rational. Even with a far lower tournament count compared to younger opponents, Djokovic can still maintain a world No. 3 ranking, which itself is the best proof that he remains at the top level. Ivanisevic did not deny the rise of Sinner and Alcaraz, but clearly pointed out: the younger generation is indeed strong, but that does not mean Djokovic has already been surpassed. The subtle distinction between "another level" and "unique" precisely reflects a veteran coach's accurate judgment of the competitive landscape.

Ivanisevic and Djokovic's collaboration ended in 2024, with both choosing different paths. Yet in this public interview, the former coach did not opt for cautious or distant phrasing due to the separation; instead, he defended his former player in the most sincere manner. Every word he said seemed like what one would say standing beside Djokovic—full of protectiveness, full of conviction, full of the certainty that only comes from truly knowing someone.

This is precisely the most precious thing in the world of sports. A working partnership can end, contracts can expire, but the understanding and trust built through fighting side by side does not dissipate with the termination of the professional relationship. Ivanisevic has seen Djokovic's most vulnerable moments and his strongest moments; he knows better than most: when that man's eyes ignite with competitive fire, no number is impossible.

A 25th Grand Slam title? In Djokovic's dictionary, that entry indeed exists.

Ivanisevic's words serve both as a response to the outside world and as support for his old friend. They make one believe that even in the twilight of his career, even facing increasingly younger challengers, Djokovic still possesses the drive and ability to make miracles happen.(Source: Tennis Home Author: Mei)