MELBOURNE, Australia — The record of people that wrote Novak Djokovic’s sports activities obituary is sort of so long as the tennis legend’s in depth honor roll. However Djokovic has challenged that narrative time and time once more, constructing what’s now arguably the best legacy in tennis historical past with 24 main titles.
Even at age 38, with time now not on his aspect, there isn’t any denying that he needs to interrupt much more information.
And he nearly by no means turns into irrelevant. Regardless of being the second oldest man within the sport and the oldest presently ranked inside the ATP Prime 60, Djokovic ranked inside the highest seven final season, was one in every of solely two males to achieve the semi-finals of all 4 majors, and have become the third man in historical past to achieve 100 event wins in his profession. He nonetheless has all of the instruments, nous, firepower, and maybe most significantly, the will to mix it with different athletes within the sport. Amongst them are Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. A harmful duo who’ve appeared to be circling the competitors all around the final 24 months, they’re nearly sure to face in his strategy to additional crowns in Australia.
Since Djokovic gained his final main title, the 2023 US Open, Sinner and Alcaraz have mixed to win the following eight main tournaments, ushering in a brand new period of dominance in tennis. Sinner, ranked No. 2 on the planet, has defeated Djokovic in every of his final 5 matches, together with semi-final levels on the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon. Djokovic has a very good report towards No. 1 Alcaraz. The pair share a 2-2 head-to-head report for the reason that starting of 2024.
“I perceive that Sinner and Alcaraz are taking part in at a unique degree than everybody else proper now, that is true. However that does not imply everybody else does not have an opportunity,” a assured Djokovic defined on the eve of the Australian Open. “I feel we now have an opportunity in any event, particularly right here. Whenever you’re wholesome, when you can put all of the items of the puzzle collectively that day, you are feeling like you possibly can beat anybody.”
“If I did not have that confidence and perception in myself, I would not be right here. Proper now, I am nonetheless No. 4 on the planet and competing on the highest degree. I am simply grateful, particularly to get one other probability right here. I at all times love taking part in in Australia.”
If Djokovic had been to achieve the proper report of 25 main singles championships, it will be becoming and sure if he may do it within the final two weeks on the Australian Open, the Grand Slam he has owned all through his tennis profession. Djokovic holds a report 10 event wins and has a 91% win fee when taking part in at Melbourne Park, shedding simply six matches within the final 19 years. The enduring blue laborious courts of Rod Laver Area could also be his second residence. On this stage, he has produced a few of the most breathtaking tennis and numerous moments of magic, all of which can’t be underestimated when assessing Djokovic’s probabilities of profitable the title in 2026.
Maybe one other profit for Djokovic as he enters the twilight of his profession is that, regardless of all his accolades and accomplishments, few, if any, anticipate him to beat Sinner or Alcaraz in a five-set match. Is there a danger that they’ll underestimate him? Perhaps not, however each males will likely be obsessive about chasing their very own piece of historical past for the following two weeks, and that may solely add to the burden and expectations on their shoulders. Sinner is aiming to hitch Djokovic as the one males within the Australian Open period to win the Australian Open three years in a row. In the meantime, if Alcaraz wins the title at Melbourne Park this yr, he’ll develop into the youngest participant (at 22) to finish a profession slam.
However Djokovic does not care about any of that, solely desirous about how he can mess together with his opponent.
“My precedence is to actually deal with my physique, construct momentum and never spend pointless vitality,” Djokovic mentioned. “(Final yr) we had been somewhat weak in our legs to compete with them on the finish of the Grand Slams, however we undoubtedly did our greatest and I feel we challenged their strategy to the title. We all know how good they’re and so they undoubtedly need to be the place they’re. Hopefully we are able to go far once more and get an opportunity to play towards them.”
Regardless of the consequence of Djokovic’s Australian Open marketing campaign, the easy truth that he’s even within the fringe championship dialogue at this level in his profession, not to mention a official title contender, is astonishing. His longevity and excellence are unprecedented and can by no means be repeated. Since turning 35 simply over three-and-a-half years in the past, Djokovic has gained 4 Grand Slams, reached the semifinals of 11 majors, lifted two trophies on the ATP Finals, gained an Olympic gold medal and spent 59 weeks as world primary. That alone is worthy of induction into the Tennis Corridor of Fame.
“There was a variety of speak concerning the twenty fifth, however I am attempting to deal with what I’ve achieved, not what I can obtain sooner or later,” Djokovic mentioned. “I should not complain or remorse something. I imply, I’ve damaged nearly each report that may be damaged on this sport and I am without end grateful to tennis for giving me the chance to journey all over the world and understand my desires. To be trustworthy, I am nonetheless dwelling the dream. I am hoping to be (25), however 24 is not a foul quantity both!”
