CNN
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Former tennis participant and captain of the US Davis Cup workforce Patrick McEnroe says Novak Djokovic might win one other “4 or 5” grand slams earlier than he retires.
The Serbian equaled Rafael Nadal’s report for many males’s grand slams after profitable his twenty second title on the Australian Open on Sunday and seemed just about unstoppable for a lot of the match.
“I feel he can win 4 or 5 extra,” McEnroe instructed CNN’s Amanda Davies. “It seems like he’s as wholesome as ever.
“He’s the favourite at three out of 4 [grand slams] for the following, I’d say in all probability two years.”
McEnroe says “all is now proper once more within the males’s tennis world” after Djokovic returned to the world No. 1 spot for a record-extending 374th week.
Sunday’s victory was his tenth Australian Open triumph, which made him solely the second man to win greater than 10 titles at a single main.
Whereas followers have change into accustomed to watching Djokovic elevate trophies, the Serbian’s emotional response to profitable in Melbourne has generated loads of remark.
The 35-year-old sobbed on court docket whereas celebrating with family and friends, later telling reporters that he had skilled an “emotional collapse.”
It comes after a troublesome 12 months for the Serbian which started when Djokovic was unable to defend his title final 12 months after being deported from Australia in 2022 over his Covid-19 vaccination standing.
He was then banned from enjoying within the US Open – once more because of his vaccination standing – as he discovered himself on the middle of a worldwide information story.
McEnroe says he thinks Djokovic continues to be enjoying with a “large chip on his shoulder” after all of the controversy, which has helped make him a good larger menace on tour.
“I feel he performed in addition to he’s ever performed, which is superb at 35 years outdated,” added McEnroe, who was a singles semifinalist on the Australian Open in 1991 and a doubles winner on the French Open in 1989.
“To assume that this man is simply getting higher and even when he gained the title, you noticed him level to the pinnacle, level to the center, even then he was nonetheless stoic.
“However as quickly as he went as much as his household and his coaches in that participant field, all of the feelings got here out.”
McEnroe isn’t the one particular person predicting extra success for Djokovic.
Australian star Nick Kyrgios stated on Twitter that the Serbian “will get to twenty-eight slams simple” after watching him beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight units on Sunday.
If Djokovic does add extra grand slam titles to his present tally, he’ll additional stake his declare for being the most effective participant within the historical past of males’s tennis.
That debate additionally consists of the like of Nadal, who’s at present degree on grand slam wins with Djokovic, and Roger Federer, who retired after profitable 20 grand slams.
Regardless of saying it was too early to name Djokovic as the best of all time, McEnroe stated you possibly can argue that Djokovic has the sting.
“His domination throughout the companies has been a bit of bit wider than each these two legendary gamers,” he stated.
“He’s additionally acquired a greater head-to-head towards each of them and higher within the different large tournaments however there’s nonetheless a whole lot of tennis to be performed.”
If he stays match, Nadal shall be favourite so as to add to his trophy cupboard on the season’s subsequent grand slam at Roland Garros; a title he has gained 14 instances.
However Djokovic would then be the person to cease at Wimbledon and can be favourite once more on the US Open ought to authorities allow him to play this 12 months, in response to McEnroe.
