‘Best player in men’s tennis’: Sania Mirza backs Novak Djokovic to win elusive 25th Grand Slam

Sania Mirza has backed Novak Djokovic to win at least one more Grand Slam title, describing the Serbian great as the “best player in men’s tennis that there is” and insisting that his ability to compete with players more than a decade younger cannot be written off. Djokovic, who remains on a record 24 men’s singles majors, has been chasing an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam since winning the US Open in 2023.

Speaking about Djokovic’s prospects, Mirza said age had inevitably made the task harder but argued that his tennis and competitive instincts continued to give him a chance at the sport’s biggest tournaments. The former Indian tennis star pointed to his performances against the younger generation as evidence that the 39-year-old could still challenge for another major.

‘Would love to see him win’

“I would love to see Novak win one more Grand Slam. I think he is the best player in men’s tennis that there is,” Mirza said, backing Djokovic to add another chapter to a career already defined by longevity and records.

Djokovic’s pursuit of No. 25 has become one of the biggest storylines in men’s tennis. His most recent Grand Slam triumph came at the 2023 US Open, and the rise of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner has made the path to another major considerably more demanding.

The Serbian came agonisingly close at the Australian Open earlier this year. He defeated Sinner in a five-set semifinal before losing the final to Alcaraz in four sets, with the Spaniard denying him a record-breaking 25th major while completing his own career Grand Slam.

Djokovic subsequently reached the Wimbledon semifinals but was beaten by Sinner. His 2026 Grand Slam campaign ultimately ended without another title after an early exit at the US Open, leaving the Serbian on 24 majors heading into another season.

Sania points to longevity

Mirza said Djokovic’s ability to remain competitive at the highest level at 39 itself underlined the scale of his achievement. With players such as Alcaraz and Sinner increasingly controlling the biggest tournaments, Djokovic has had to contend not only with younger opponents but also with the physical demands of playing seven best-of-five-set matches over two weeks.

The six-time Grand Slam doubles and mixed doubles champion said she believed Djokovic could still produce the level required to win another major. She pointed to the fact that he continued to reach the latter stages of Grand Slams despite competing against players at or near their physical peak.

Djokovic’s record already stands alone in men’s singles. His 24 Grand Slam titles put him ahead of Rafael Nadal’s 22 and Roger Federer’s 20, while his career also includes an Olympic singles gold medal and a record number of weeks spent as world No. 1.

The chase for No. 25

The 25th title would carry particular historical significance. Djokovic is tied with Margaret Court on 24 Grand Slam singles titles, and another triumph would give him the outright record across men’s and women’s singles.

The challenge has grown with every passing season. Alcaraz and Sinner have established themselves at the forefront of the new generation, while Djokovic has increasingly managed his schedule around the Grand Slams rather than playing a full calendar of tour events.

Yet his run to the Australian Open final this year offered another reminder that he remains capable of competing deep into majors. His five-set victory over Sinner in Melbourne, achieved just months before his 39th birthday, was among the strongest indications that another Grand Slam challenge cannot simply be dismissed.

For Mirza, that possibility is enough to keep faith in the Serbian. Djokovic may now be chasing history against younger legs and a rapidly changing men’s field, but the former Indian star believes one final major triumph remains within the reach of the player she regards as the finest in the men’s game.