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Serena Williams’ former coach has sparked debate with blunt remarks about Novak Djokovic’s future as the Serbian icon battles injuries and scrutiny. Djokovic, 37, withdrew from the Australian Open semifinals due to a hamstring tear—a setback that led to fan accusations of dishonesty, prompting him to publicly share medical scans. His rocky 2025 continued with a shock first-round loss at the Qatar Open to Italy’s Matteo Berrettini. Amid the turbulence, Williams’ ex-mentor has offered candid advice to the 24-time Grand Slam champion, hinting at a harsh reality check for the aging superstar.
The warning for Novak Djokovic
The voice behind the stark assessment? Rennae Stubbs, the seasoned coach who briefly guided Serena Williams in 2022. On her podcast, The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, Stubbs dissected Djokovic’s recent struggles, linking them to the inevitable toll of age.
“He’s struggling with injuries over the last couple of years now with the knee, with the leg,” she noted. “Novak has bounced back better than most… but this is starting to be a little bit of an issue now, not winning matches.”
Stubbs pointed to Djokovic’s loss to Berrettini as emblematic of deeper challenges.
“When you’re older… you’re pushing yourself more, your body’s more uptight,” she explained, emphasizing how prolonged breaks and mounting pressure exacerbate physical decline. “He’s struggling more and more and more.”
Djokovic’s 2025: A season of setbacks
Djokovic’s year began with a Brisbane quarterfinal exit to Reilly Opelka, followed by a gritty Australian Open run. Wins over Carlos Alcaraz and Jiri Lehecka showcased flashes of his vintage self, but a hamstring injury during the Alcaraz clash derailed his semifinal against Alexander Zverev. Despite a swift return in Doha, Berrettini’s “match of his life” handed Djokovic his earliest hardcourt loss since 2018.
Stubbs acknowledged the Italian’s brilliance (“forehands all over the place for winners”) but stressed Djokovic’s fading invincibility. With just seven wins in three tournaments and no titles since the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Serb’s aura of inevitability is cracking.
The bigger picture: Age vs. legacy
Stubbs’ critique isn’t about doubting Djokovic’s greatness—it’s about confronting mortality. At 37, Djokovic is the oldest active player in the ATP Top 10. While rivals like Rafael Nadal have adapted games to aging bodies, Djokovic’s style—reliant on elastic defense and grueling rallies—demands peak physicality.
“It’s not just the injuries,” Stubbs implied. “It’s the mental grind of maintaining that level when your body rebels.”
Djokovic’s crossroads: Adaptation or decline?
The question now is whether Djokovic can reinvent himself. Stubbs’ advice, while blunt, echoes a truth he’s yet to fully embrace: survival at the top requires compromise. Shortening points, prioritizing efficiency over endurance, and selective scheduling could prolong his career—but will the perfectionist in him accept limits?
Rennae Stubbs’ words are a wake-up call, not an obituary. Novak Djokovic’s resilience has defied logic before, but as Stubbs warns, “When you’re older…” isn’t just a phrase—it’s a countdown. Whether he silences doubters or succumbs to time, one thing’s certain: the world will be watching.
