Grand Slam champions are often defined by their perseverance and determination to succeed on the sport’s biggest stage. Players like Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner have exemplified these qualities during their title-winning runs. Their resilience was on full display at the recent Australian Open, earning praise from renowned coach Patrick Mouratoglou.
Both Djokovic and Sinner faced physical challenges throughout the tournament. Djokovic suffered a muscle tear, while Sinner battled illness. Despite the setbacks, Djokovic played through pain to defeat Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals, and Sinner overcame Holger Rune in the fourth round despite feeling unwell. Mouratoglou took to social media to express his admiration for their ability to fight through adversity.
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“Most players at every level focus on their problems. The champions? They focus on the solutions,” he said. He pointed out how Djokovic’s ability to defeat Alcaraz despite an injury and Sinner’s victory over Rune while sick were testaments to their mental toughness. He added that both athletes managed to compete and win even when they were only operating at a fraction of their full capability, calling it “amazing.”
While Djokovic was unable to continue in the semifinal against Alexander Zverev, Sinner went on to defeat him and defend his Australian Open title. Sinner’s coach, Darren Cahill, later revealed just how difficult the tournament had been for the Italian. “He was pretty bad. We didn’t know if he was going to step on the court. It was that bad,” Cahill said. He explained that Sinner had to cancel practices, see a doctor, and rely on rest and medical treatments before ultimately competing.
Following his Australian Open campaign, Djokovic shared an MRI scan showing the extent of his muscle tear. The injury forced him to return home for daily treatment, and he later addressed his comeback plans.
Djokovic is expected to return to competition at the Doha Open in the coming weeks, though he remains uncertain about his participation. He confirmed that he would not be playing in the Davis Cup due to his injury. While representing his country was a priority for him this season, his focus will now be on his recovery and the pursuit of his 25th Grand Slam title.
Though he showed flashes of his dominant form in Melbourne, Djokovic will need to maintain peak physical condition to add another major trophy to his collection. His resilience has always been a key part of his success, and overcoming this latest challenge will be another test of his championship mentality.