NEW YORK — The assumption, not less than by many, was that Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer would cede the stage by now and make room on the prime of males’s tennis for different gamers to start accumulating Grand Slam titles.
Well, Federer retired, and Nadal missed almost all of this season with a hip drawback that he expects to finish his profession after one final hurrah in 2024. Djokovic? He simply retains on going at age 36, dominant as ever.
As of Monday, Djokovic is again at No. 1 within the ATP rankings and the proprietor of 24 main championships, a report for the Open period and tied with Margaret Court for essentially the most within the historical past of tennis. Djokovic‘s U.S. Open title, which arrived Sunday through a 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3 victory over Daniil Medvedev, gave him three Slam trophies this season, every by beating a a lot youthful opponent within the closing.
Before dealing with Medvedev, Djokovic was requested whether or not he finds it uncommon that he’s nonetheless doing what he’s doing, towards the brand new era. The reply, basically, was “No.” And, frankly, nobody else needs to be shocked by it one bit, both.
“It probably sounds cocky or arrogant, but I’m not really surprised, because I know how much work and dedication and energy I put into trying to be in this position. So I know that I deserve this. I always believe in myself, in my own capabilities, in my skills, in my quality as a tennis player to be able to deliver when it matters,” Djokovic stated. “So I’m not really surprised, to be honest with you. Because I feel good. Physically I have been as fit or as prepared, as strong as – I don’t want to say ‘as ever,’ but – I mean, as good as I have been in years and years.”
He went 27-1 on the majors in 2023, dropping solely in July’s Wimbledon closing in 5 units towards 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz (whom, it needs to be famous, Djokovic beat within the Cincinnati Masters closing final month and simply changed at No. 1).
In January’s Australian Open closing, Djokovic defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas. In June’s French Open closing, he received previous Casper Ruud. Both have been 24 on the time. Medvedev is 27.
“So ‘age is just a number’ — that phrase is resonating at the moment with me,” Djokovic stated. “And I don’t want to even consider leaving tennis or thinking about an end if I’m still at the top of the game.”
Of course not. Why ought to he?
Over his profession, Djokovic has gained precisely a 3rd of the 72 Slams by which he’s participated. After going 12-9 in Grand Slam finals throughout his 20s – when the losses got here towards Federer, Nadal, Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka – he’s 12-3 in his 30s, with losses towards Nadal, Alcaraz and, on the 2021 U.S. Open, Medvedev.
Since the beginning of the 2021 season, Djokovic has gained seven of the ten majors he entered and was the runner-up at one other (he was unable to take part in two as a result of he isn’t vaccinated towards COVID-19).
“You need to reinvent yourself, because everyone else does,” stated Djokovic, who gained 20 of the 22 factors Sunday on which he serve-and-volleyed, not his normal fashion. “As a 36-year-old competing with 20-year-olds, I probably have to do it more than I have ever done it.”
A query was put to his coach, 2001 Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic, about whether or not Djokovic may stroll away if he will get a twenty fifth main trophy to surpass Court.
Ivanisevic’s reply: “I don’t think so, no. No, he’s planning to play (at the) Olympic Games in Los Angeles.”
That’s scheduled for 2028, by which period Djokovic shall be 41.
There’s no purpose proper now to assume it’s not potential, each due to Djokovic‘s concentrate on bodily and psychological health and due to his insatiable urge for food for achievement.
“If he wins 25, he’s going to think, ‘If I win 25, why not 26?’ It’s always one more, something more,” Ivanisevic stated. “He’s taking care of his body. He’s taking care of everything. Every single detail has to be perfect, prepared.”
Medvedev teased Djokovic on Sunday, telling him it’s time to maneuver on along with his life.
Not occurring.
“Players come and go. It will be the same kind of destiny for me. Eventually, one day, I will leave tennis,” Djokovic stated, earlier than delivering the punch line: “… in about 23, 24 years.”
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