Novak Djokovic, former World No. 1 and one of the greatest men’s singles tennis players, along with his wife Jelena, were visibly impressed by American figure skater Ilia Malinin’s extraordinary free skating routine during the team event at the Milano-Cortina Winter Games on Sunday. The competition took place in Milan, Italy, where Team USA secured the gold medal over Japan and the host nation, Italy.
The couple witnessed Malinin’s routine at the Foro di Milano arena, shown reacting with wide-eyed astonishment and enthusiastic applause as he executed one of his signature moves. Djokovic’s presence at the event offered a rare glimpse of his interest outside of tennis as he enjoys downtime amid his pursuit of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.
The Ongoing Pursuit of Djokovic’s 25th Grand Slam Championship
Novak Djokovic is currently in pursuit of his 25th Grand Slam trophy, a milestone that has eluded him since last year, when he triumphed three times in the four major tennis tournaments. Despite his dominance in recent years, including three major titles in 2023, the 38-year-old Serbian star narrowly missed that historic achievement following his defeat in the Australian Open final to World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz.
Following the Australian Open, Djokovic has been taking time away from the court to recover and prepare mentally and physically for the next phase of his season. His return to competition is scheduled for mid-February at the Doha Open (ATP 500), with a high-profile appearance expected soon after at the Indian Wells Masters 1000 event beginning March 2.
Patrick Mouratoglou Reveals What’s Holding Djokovic Back from the 25th Major
Renowned tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou shared insights into Djokovic’s current challenges in capturing his elusive 25th Grand Slam title. Mouratoglou explained that motivation might be the key factor impacting Djokovic’s recent performances and ability to clinch the record-breaking milestone.
I don’t think he’s motivated enough for the 25th; otherwise, I think he would have done it. He was crazy motivated for the Olympic Games, he made the gold medal, and he beat Alcaraz in the final,
Mouratoglou said.
The coach emphasized Djokovic’s mental fortitude and lifelong ambition, noting the Serbian player’s capability despite the natural toll of aging and reduced recovery speed.
He’s done to achieve his goals all his life. He wanted to be the best of all time. He is undoubtedly the best of all time. Nobody will beat this record anytime soon. If he practices and prepares, he can play. Of course, he doesn’t recover as well as before but he can make the matches easy until at least the quarters or the semis,
Mouratoglou added.
Highlighting Djokovic’s renowned mental strength, Mouratoglou underscored that motivation remains the crucial element for continued success.
Novak is the strongest mental in the history. If he wants something, even if the level is here (high) and he is here (low), he’s gonna match it. He’s gonna find a way. He is going to take the most important points of the match, then he’s going to win. It’s only about motivation. He knows it better than anyone. He has all the keys, we don’t,
Mouratoglou concluded.
Looking Ahead: Djokovic’s Next Challenges and Potential Impact
Djokovic’s return on the ATP tour will begin at the Doha Open on February 16, marking his first competitive appearance since January. Following this, the tennis world will be watching as he competes at the prestigious Indian Wells Masters, where he will face a star-studded lineup of contenders. His performance in these tournaments may provide crucial indicators of his form and motivation moving forward.
The significance of Djokovic securing his 25th Grand Slam title extends far beyond personal records. It would further cement his claim as the greatest male player in tennis history and intensify his legendary rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz and other upcoming talents. Meanwhile, his evident fascination with extraordinary athleticism, as seen in his reaction to Malinin’s skating routine, suggests a competitor driven by respect for peak performance across sports.
Greatness recognising greatness 🐐
Novak Djokovic couldn’t believe what he was watching from Ilia Malinin 🤯 pic.twitter.com/CFnpa9eKMi
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) February 9, 2026
Olympic champion Novak Djokovic reacting to Ilia Malinin's team event's free skate at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games today!pic.twitter.com/qFCz4BEteA
— Ilia Malinin Daily (@TheIliaSociety) February 8, 2026
