Djokovic continues to add reasons to consider himself as the GOAT.
It is not normal to see a 35-year-old tennis player being the best in the world. Novak Djokovic remains in great shape, it seems that the years do not pass by him. The Serbian managed to culminate his 2022 season with the title of the “Tournament of Masters”, a result that will serve as motivation for the future.
His current and only coach, Goran Ivanisevic, spoke about the key that has allowed ‘Nole’ to remain the best tennis player on the planet despite his long tour. He “trains even harder than when he was 22 years old.
That’s why he’s still so good and why he’s still going to get better. The will to train, to improve, is incredible. He takes care of his body. In my time we left tennis when we were 30 years old, but now it is amazing”, commented the former Croatian tennis player.
“Look at Roger Federer from two years ago, look at Rafa Nadal. Younger players are coming, but look at Novak. He is still hungry to win. If he continues like this, in his mind he will always be competitive, a favorite at the Grand Slams and at the big tournaments,” added Ivanisevic.
And also, the Serbian has benefited from his physical condition and the ability he has shown to stay healthy. Injuries have hardly affected him throughout his extraordinary career. Unlike his generational rivals like Federer and Nadal, ‘Nole’ has managed to stay active longer and in better shape.
How much time do you think Novak Djokovic still has left as a professional tennis player?
Rennae Stubbs on Nole Djokovic
Many Novak Djokovic fans were outraged by the absence of their champion from the list of nominees for the Stefan Edberg award.
A trophy rewarding the most fair play player each season and monopolized since 2004 by Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal. Rennae Stubbs, former world number 1 in doubles, gave her opinion on the matter: “Novak is not a great sportsman on the court, he took warnings, broke rackets, etc.
He’s a graceful loser, I’ll grant him that, but this award rewards sportsmanship on and off the pitch. So don’t make it any other subject than this,” wrote the Australian. Mats Wilander has welcomed Novak Djokovic’s participation in the 2023 Australian Open, highlighting why it is a significant moment in tennis history.
“We’re in the middle of a battle between the Big 3 for the honor of the best of all time. The number of Grand Slams would have become completely irrelevant if Novak hadn’t been allowed to play anymore,” Mats Wilander said in an interview with Eurosport.
